Don't Trust Them

Chapter 8

"This is absolutely out of the question, Haru is to young!" Haru's mother protested to whatever they were talking about.

She had been the loudest out of all of them during the talk. I assumed just so she could make noise, almost like crickets do. Hana, the other Neko's and I were in the kitchen to give the humans their space. The older three had told me to sit as to not hurt myself while they prepared food. I was bored so I began to eavesdrop on the humans conversation.

"It's no longer up to you, Haruka is allowed to move out if he wants to. He is legally allowed to, and besides he would still be with family" Ki demanded toward his parents.

Move out? What does that mean?

"The Neko stays here then!" The banshee wailed.

"Legally she is to go with Haruka" His father spoke finally. "I won't care for her, and we all know fully well you won't either my dear. Let the boys go, see how well they can make it without us, then they'll be back."

I was confused as to what was going on but I didn't have long to figure it out. Soon the humans broke of their conversation and went different ways. Haruka and Ki came to the kitchen while their parents stalked off somewhere else.

I held my arms up to Haru wanting to be picked up. He happily obliged and lifted me into his arms.

"So, you both will be leaving us?" Jul asked solemnly.

An uncomfortable silence came over all of us before Ki spoke up. "It's for the best, our parents aren't very nice to any of us. I only wish we could bring you both with us as well."

"Penne and I both wish you well. All we ask is that you care for the young one. She is innocent in everything, her mother may not be."

I felt anger rise in me at Jul's words, "shut up."

The room was silent, for a second, then Haru registered what I had said. "Shinju no ma'am you apo-"

"It is quite alright Master Haruka, she is being protective of blood. Neko's tend to be that way," Jul's turned to me. "I'm sorry little one, I did not mean to upset you. However, your mother has caused quite the uproar for our kind."

Everyone was silent again, what were they talking about? My mother seemed to be a big part in this human war against our kind. It made no sense to me, she never left the cave, how could she cause problems.

"On a different note, she starts school tomorrow, have you got everything needed for her?" Ki questioned changing the sour subject.

Haru sighed, "yes, unfortunately though she's not a fan of the uniforms. Says it makes her tail feel constricted."

The three older Neko's chuckled, "I can attest to that." Hana spoke up, "those skirts don't have an opening for tails and they come down to low for comfort. I suggest making your own, Ki did that for me when we were in school."

Those uniforms were stupid, I didn't understand the use in wearing such annoying clothes. Haru told me I had to or I'd get in trouble with his school, in turn getting me in trouble with him.

~~~

An annoying beeping noise woke me up the next morning. I hissed, jumping awake and looking around for the intruding noise.

"It's just an alarm Shinju, it's time to get ready for school." Haru said trying to calm me.

I hissed when he reached for something and turned the noise off. It was a rectangular device I had watched him use before, I was unaware it could be so annoying.

"It's time for school Kitten" He informed me causing me to whine curl back under the covers.

"I know kitten but we gotta do this, come on."

The entire morning I fought Haru on getting dressed, the uniform being scratchy and uncomfortable for me. Once he had successfully gotten me dressed and brushed my hair and teeth we finally went out for breakfast. Hana was there, she looked sad and had a big red mark on her cheek. A growl escaped me when I saw it, the sound making her look up at me and Haru.

"Hana what happened?" Haruka asked lifting her chin to inspect the mark.

"It's nothing, your mother was in a bad mood that's all" she tried to brush it off.

I clenched my fists angry that the vial woman had done this to her. I hadn't notice I was still growing until Hana took one of my fists in her hands.

"I'm okay little one, don't worry."

I didn't say anything, knowing that she was down playing it way too much.

Haru had me eat and we left, walking to his school quietly. I was still mad and the walk didn't help me feel any better. When we arrived he showed me where my shoes went and helped me put on my inside shoes.

"Sato?" I heard a male voice behind Haru and I causing the two of us to turn around.

It was a boy about the same age as Haru and he had a confused look on his face.

"Hey Yuno, what's up?" Haru answered the boy.

"What's with the Neko? Thought you were against your dad's views?"

Haru looked at me sadly, "I am, but if I didn't claim her he was going to force her into the system. I couldn't let that happen."

The boy came closer to look at me and I hid behind Haru suppressing a hiss that threatened to escape.

"She's never been around people before" Haru explained.

The boy nodded and stepped back, "sorry I wasn't trying to be intrusive."

"Shinju this is a friend of mine who doesn't like the dynamic as much as I don't."

I waved, still behind Haru and away from the boy. Once the two had finished talking Haru lead me further into the building to another room. He had me sit next to him at a table thing with two chairs. Helping me get out papers and a pencil while explaining how this worked.

Soon more people joined the room all giving second glances at Haru and I. They all seemed extremely surprised to see me with him. Some of the Nekos smiled at me seeing a new face of their own kind. I watched them all interact with each other, the humans talking while the Neko's stood or sat by I assumed their owners. It made me more mad just watching it, we were people too.

Soon an older human came into the room and everyone sat down. Then the older human began to say people's names.

"Shinju Ogawa, hmm new Neko I see," the man commented when he made eye contact with me.

A low growl came from my throat but I don't think the man heard it as he went on. Unfortunately, Haru heard my growl and grabbed my face to look at him.

"This is your first day, behave or you will have a time out when we get home, yes sir?" He told me firmly.

"Yes sir" I spoke through clenched teeth.

I was not going to like this place.