The Chess Piece ( Nakahara Chuuya x OC)

[ 26 ] Crossed Swords

The cat purred softly , not bothered at all by the rapidly growing noise or the burning smell or the chaotic shouting.Much like the person, it was trying so hard to get some attention from.

A hand hovered over its stretching body, lightly brushing over its glossy fur, almost like a mock. Testing whether it stood its ground like cats are rumoured for preserving their dignity rather than rolling over at once just to get a pat of appreciation. 

Apparently, those turned out be stupid rumours after all. Or perhaps, this cat was way too tempted. It seemed to have determined that hand as the biggest source of comfort and nothing seemed to be changing its mind. So it continued purring, rolling and occasionally trying to grab the fingers that moved out of its reach every time it reached out it's paws.

It took some time , but the owner of the hand finally seemed satisfied with the performance and rested her hand on the feline body, stroking it's back delicately. The cat couldn't have purred in a more ecstatic way, finally being able to get what it wanted. A subtle feeling of love. And as a stray cat, it didn't seem to be getting any of it.

The grey ball of fur snuggled closer , trying to get more warmth. Sometimes even nibbling the fingers with its sharp canine in gratitude and  looking up at the human with its big and watery eyes. Its bright green pupil staring at the woman sitting relaxly , one leg crossed over the other. She didn't look back. Her eyes staring twenty feet below them, something she seemed to be very interested in.

The fingers grasped between its teeth have an odd flavour of blood. But her fingers weren't bleeding. The animal made sure of that, not even thinking about scratching the skin , much less piercing the flesh.  But the stench was still there.

The shouts and the screams ringing in the air didn't faze any of them. Neither did the cat leap nor did the woman flinch. Perhaps the cat might have chosen not to stay here for too long, feeling threatened by the comotion. However this woman's touch made it feel safer , more secure.

But the little bubble around them popped so suddenly and not in a graceful way. The cat, suddenly feeling the warmth vanish , as well as the concrete beneath it ,rolled itself midair and landed on its paw after the sudden twenty feet drop and right in the middle of the conflict. 

It hissed , backing down nervously. It should have run away without a second thought but it didn't. Even after knowing the danger and feeling the danger, it meowed loudly. It's luminous eyes shone emerald as it stared at the person it sought so much comfort in. Unlike the cat, she didn't manage to land on her feet or in any safe position. Her black shirt covered in dusty white of the fallen concrete floor they sat on some minutes ago. And a trail of blood trickled down her forehead and passed her neck. 

The cat stood still for another moment before leaping out of sight. Realizing that it can't help. It won't be able to save this person no matter what. 

"You have some serious audacity to challenge the Port Mafia like this."

A male voice growled, making Ilaria look up at the remains of the destroyed floor as she dusted the soot and plaster of her clothes in the most careless way. The fast paced battle of the Port Mafia and the Uccello going on and the corpses of both sides littering at her feet, was the least of her concerns. 

A malicious smirk etched on her lips. 

" I always have a bit more audacity than normal people. I can't help it." 

She can sense the disgust in the other's eyes. The sapphire eyes, brighter than her own, indeed held an immense amount of loathing, glaring straight at her. Resisting himself from going straight for her head.