Don't Trust Them

Chapter 5

Shinju had pouted the entire ride to the court house. I wasn't mad at her I was just scared that she would get taken. She is having a hard enough time adjusting to what is going on, she doesn't need to be with people who will beat her. I didn't push her to talk as we drove, I felt bad enough for having to reprimand her.

"I sowwy Haruka" I heard her whisper softly.

I held back a smile knowing now she wasn't mad at me, "it's okay kitten, I'm not angry with you. I am trying to keep you safe and away from the bad people in this world. Had that doctor not been so nice she could have had you taken away and locked up."

I heard her whimper, "no want to leave yew."

"I will do everything in my power to keep you with me, but you need to listen to me. When we get back to the house we will go over rules and consequences okay?"

I could see her nodded in the corner of my eye so I took the nod. We soon arrived at the court house, I was not looking forward to this part. Shinju will no longer have rights, I will own her completely, something I hated. Nevertheless, I walked in holding her hand right up to the claiming window.

"Oh Mr. Sato, it's good to see you. What can I help you with today?" The lady at the desk asked me.

I have her a weak smile, "I need to fill out claiming paperwork for my Neko."

Her face grew surprised, "Oh, well I'll bring you back personally to help you."

I couldn't for the life of my remember her name, but she worked with my father a lot.

When we were taken back and sat across from her at a table Shinju sat in my lap curled up almost asleep.

"Okay, name of Neko?"

"Shinju Ogawa."

She tried to hide her surprise, "um, age?"

"Sixteen."

"Weight?"

"Around ninety-five pounds."

"Height?"

"Approximately four foot eleven inches."

"Date received Neko?"

"Yesterday."

We continued back and forth until the packet was filled out. I had to wake Shinju to sign the paper, she was not to happy about that. Once we were finished I carried her to the car and set her in the seat. She curled into herself going back to sleep wrapping her tail around herself. She looked adorable, I felt bad for what was happening to her, it was my fault.

With a heavy sigh I left the court house and headed toward my school. The education evaluation took about two hours, and I would not be allowed in the evaluation with her. Something I avoided mentioning to prolong a melt down that was sure to come. She had woken up on or way there and seemed in a much better mood than before.

Once at my school, Shinju became very shy. She avoided the other students and kept a tight hold on me. Entering the office Shinju relaxed a bit more, seeing as there were less people.

"So, I see your father was right, you did decide on a Neko" the front desk lady stated.

"More like was forced to, she needs to be evaluated" I countered.

"The room is set up, a teacher will come get her soon."

I sat down with Shinju and held her closely. She was regressed, but not to far, still a bit functional. She purred and nuzzled me as I pet her head.

"I can't go in the room with you while you get evaluated kitten" I told her as gently as possible.

She instantly stopped purring and shot up to look at me, "no go by self."

Letting out a sigh I nodded, "I know kitten, but I'm not allowed to go with you. It's against the rules."

"Stupid rules! No go by self!"

I gave her a firm look for shouting, "you do not raise your voice at me kitten."

I heard her whine and watched her look down at her hands, "why no Haruka?"

"Because it's considered cheating. Cheating is a big no no, so we can't do it."

A teacher came into view with a packet that I knew all to well. "Well Mr. Sato, it's about time. Your father has pressed this issue for quite some months."

"I'm very aware, she is a bit scared coming from the wild."

"I can imagine, I got her report from the doctors office as well as the court house. You may join us during the evaluation, however, you will be sat in the corner behind her."

Shinju smiled and bounced, "thank you mister!"

I picked Shinju up and followed the teacher closely. In the room I set Shinju on a chair and walked over to a corner in the room.

The questions were standard, but I noticed that Shinju seemed to know every answer. She had come out of her kitten head space, and was talking normally. She may have seemed very child like, and almost as if she didn't know a lot. Yet, she got every answer right.

"Well Miss Ogawa it seems that you are at a higher level than most your age. Have you ever gone to school before?" The teacher inquired.

She shook her head, "no sir I haven't."

He seemed very skeptical but he knew she was from the wild. She still hadn't had a bath or shower so you could see the dirt on her skin. He didn't question it any further and took the papers. Shinju turned to face me a tired look on her face.

"You really are very smart kitten, you flew through that test." I praised her moving closer to her again.

"Mama taught me lots, does tings mama taught me wong time go" She informed me before yawning.

I scratched her ears as we waited, she leaned onto my shoulder purring lightly.  I was considering many things as we waited. How I would support her and I when it came to life things. My father gave me a hefty allowance every week, yet I didn't want his money anymore. He was the reason this girl was forced into society and made an object.

Soon the teacher came back with our administrator, "so, due to her test scores we are putting her in class with you. Since she is skiddish with new people."

"Thank you sir. "

"You are free to take her home, she starts next week, your father already paid her tuition through the year."

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I stood and picked Shinju up. She nuzzled into my neck still purring, I was irritated but holding her called me down enough to think straight.

If I used the money my father gives me wisely, I will be able to save up enough to afford quite a bit until I can find my own job. Then Shinju and I won't have to worry about to much when we leave my parents house.