Wraith; | My Dearest Mother |

4

..Chapter Four..
Cat Man
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The two found themselves in an alleyway, Tanjiro turning his head to look at bright city lights. "Wow! It's so bright it looks like day time!" He ran to the front of the alley, look through the crowds of people.

"Careful, I don't want you to get lost out here." She carefully walked over to him, grabbing his hand. He looked up at her and giggled, tugging her out into public, also known as the authors worst nightmare.

She followed after the small boy, making sure not to bump into anyone or let go of his hand. Well, she failed both tasks she assigned herself.

She bumped into a little girl who was running with her friends, causing her to let go of Tanjiro's hand. The two got separated in the crowd, Nakime shoving people so she could find the little boy.

Tanjiro had remembered a tactic his mother taught him, and got out of the crowd. He found a bench and hoisted himself onto it, scanning over the people.

Maybe he's catch of glimpse of Nakime and he could catch up with her. But to his misfortune, he couldn't even see her Biwa. Just as he was about to get up and dive back into the crowd, a man sat next to him.

He smelled sad and pathetic.

Tanjiro looked over to him, silently observing. He had dark spiky hair that was collected into a low ponytail. He wore a mismatched hoari and clothes that were, in Tanjiro's opinion, weird.

"Cat man.." he muttered, fully engrossed by the man's odd appearance. He jolted and looked down at Tanjiro, just now acknowledging him. "What?" He asked. "Cat man." Tanjiro repeated. Cat man deadpanned.

"No, I'm not a cat." He corrected, staring at the young boy sat next to him. "You look like one."
"No, I'm a person. Just like you." Tanjiro felt the need to correct him, saying he was that Wraith thing Nakime talked about.

However, he only repeated what he said before. "But you're a cat, Cat Man." Most adults would have given up by now and just agreed, however this man persisted in the argument. "No, I'm not. And my name is Tomioka."

"Cat Man." He said again. "No, my name is Tomioka. To-mi-o-ka." He sounded it out for the boy, but Tanjiro was stubborn. "Cat Man." He repeated, ready to argue all night if he had to.

"Yamai!" He heard the nickname being yelled in the distance as Nakime elbowed and shoved people to get to him. She ran over to the bench and practically leaped for the boy, checking to make sure he wasn't hurt.

"I'm so sorry, my hand slipped!" She took his hand again and turned to the man in 'strange' clothes. Her heart went like Tanjiro's and stopped. "Thank you for watching him!" She managed to get out, pulling Tanjiro away.

Tomioka reached for a katana that was hidden under his coat. Tanjiro looked at him with curiosity eyes, subconsciously clinging to Nakime's sleeve.

Tomioka decided against it and let it rest in its hilt. Such violence around a child wouldn't be wise, and it seemed she had no intention of hurting him. For now.

She ushered Tanjiro away from him, the two disappearing into the crowd. "Why did we have to leave Cat Man?" He asked. She had to suppress a giggle. "Cat Man isn't a good man." Was all she said before leading him to the alleyway from before.