The Innocent Cat (Sequel To The Second Cat)

Motherly Love

Nikki's P.O.V.

A woman about a few inches taller than Kyo and I stood at the doorway. Her long, dirty blonde hair flowed like the waves in the ocean as the wind blew gently across the warm summer day. She sat there, puzzled for a few moments until her bright hazel eyes lit up in relief and pleasure. "Nikki," she whispered in a soft, yet delighted tone. I nodded, smiling at my mother.

"Hi, mom." I said, smiling even more grateful than before. I noticed Kyo step back a few feet, then signaling his eyes at my mother. I looked over at her, seeing her arms wide open like she wanted to give me a hug. I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I knew this was one of the happiest days of my life: reuniting with my biological mother.

In a sign of respect and care, I wrapped my arms tightly around her. Just like with Kyo, I never wanted to let go of the hug she had given me. Finally, after a few seconds in this hug, which felt like hours, she pulled away and led Kyo and I into her house.

She stopped at the front door after Kyo walked in just to close it. Kyo and I both took off our shoes and placed them against the wall. My mother led us into a beige room, filled with many fine china, pictures, and a few couches. Suddenly, I noticed a picture of small, toddler, grinning with glee as someone held her closely. It was me and my mother, though I was only about two in that picture, but I couldn't believe how adorable I was at that age.

"So Nikki," my mother began as she took a seat on the loveseat. Kyo and I sat on the same sofa without hesitation. "Whose your little friend?" I could sense a smirk on her face as she referred to Kyo.

I giggled before speaking. "This is Kyo...my boyfriend." Kyo smiled at the word I introduced him as. Boyfriend. I knew he was still getting used to that word, even though we've been in a relationship for only about eight months, but it felt like years.

"Kyo?" she questioned to herself. "Where have I heard that name before?" As she pondered, she zoned out for a few moments, trying to figure out where she heard Kyo's name before. Finally, her eyes lit up in sign of a lightbulb lighting above her head. "You're the Cat from the Zodiac, right?"

Kyo stood paralyzed for a brief second then answered, "Yes," He then eyed me a questioning look, which I responded with a shrug. "Um, why? Do you somehow know me? Because, I'm not as important to really anyone but Nikki."

My mom let outta small chuckle. "Well, I do know you. After all, my daughter is in this curse so I should know each Zodiac, especially the Cat." I felt a sudden pain in my stomach, but it was not a harmful one and it wasn't a pleasant one. Instead, it was a pain that carried mixed emotions. So my mother actually was a Sohma. Does that mean all of what Akito said many months ago true?

With my mother's response, Kyo's face lit up miraculously in delight. I have a feeling that Kyo is starting to bond with my mother.

"So mom, I guess I may be here with Kyo all day because I have so many questions to ask you." I say sheepishly, just like I was going to interview her.

My mother smiled then asked, "What questions do you have?"

"Let's see," I began, pondering on what to ask first. Finally, I thought of something that I always wanted to ask her. "Mom, do you love me?"

She gave me a questioning look. "Of course I do, honey. I've always have since the second you were born."

Relief surrounded me as I sighed deeply. Now for part two of my question. "Then, why did you and dad abandon me...when I was only three. You two left me in the woods and that's how I was adopted by my new mother and she also has two daughters with a curse too."

My mother giggled. "You mean Martha Kanaji. Yes, she does have two daughters, but I'm afraid that I've never met them before." She paused for a moment to take a breath. "Anyways, it was your father's idea to abandon you. He despised the Sohma curse, but he still wanted to be with me. Though, the animal he hates the most is a cat, so that's why he has hatred towards you, Nikki...same to you too, Kyo."

"I should've known," Kyo said. "Nikki and I saw him yesterday in The Main House (which I'm rarely welcomed in) and he looked at me in disgust the entire time there."

"So that's what's on his mind," my mother whispered to herself, leaving Kyo and I puzzled at her reply. "he's trying to take you two down. I would be careful if I were you, he has something planned inside his mind and it could result to harming either one of you." I glanced at Kyo, then back at my mother. "Now, I feel like I'm being a horrible hostess, I haven't asked you two if you were hungry or not."

"That's alright," I answer, biting my lip afterwards. "tea would be fine for the both of us." She nodded then walked off, leaving Kyo and I in the living room by ourselves.

Kyo stood up from the couch and walked around the room, glancing at the furniture, china, and pictures. I noticed a smile curl onto his lips as he spotted a picture. It seemed to bring him pleasure for some sort of reason.

Finally he said, "You looked really adorable when you were younger," I looked over his shoulder, noticing the picture that I saw before; the photograph of my mother and I over a decade ago. "but I think you are even more adorable nowadays." With that, he placed his hands onto my shoulders, and leaned into me, pressing his lips onto mine for a few seconds.

As he pulled away, my mother walked into the living room, carrying a tray that contained three tea cups and a small plate with crackers and cheese on it.

***

After a few hours of asking and answering questions with my mother, it was now time to go home. I knew my sisters and the others would be looking for us or claimed that we got eaten by bears (if there were any around this neck of town).

Before Kyo and I exited the house, I hugged my mother and wished her, 'goodbye for now'. As she released me, she gave me a reassuring smile.

"Remember, you two can come and visit me anytime you want. But, also remember to bring your stepsisters along next time we meet so I can greet them." I nodded as she pecked a kiss onto my forehead. "Bye, be safe walking back home." She waved goodbye once we finally left the house, making our way back home.

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Hello everybody!!! Sorry if I was two days off from when I was supposed to update this. Anyways, now you guys know many things about Nikki's mother and herself. Also, I think I forgot to put this in, but you could have already told, Nikki's mother and her father are divorced. Her mother kept the house and he father moved into an apartment because...why not.

So, recently I've been sick like Nikki for the past few , except I don't want to be outdoors. And so now I'm sick and its really gross, and basically I want to cuddle with Kyo (if he were real ;-;) or cuddle with some Pokémon plushies.

Also, if you guys have any questions for this book or the previous that you want answers to, feel free to comment them in the comment box below! Thank you and have a nice day!

-Nicoletta