Started: 04-26-04 Completed: 05-14-08PUSS, PUSS
Tasuki was walking down the road after a really long day of working in the construction site. He let out a loud yawn, earning passers-by's annoyed or surprised look. Tasuki couldn't care less. The only thing he wanted to do right now was to go back home, get himself off this ridiculous work clothes and jump onto bed and take a nice long nap.
As he continued walking, something from one of the display section of a shop caught his attention. It was a tiny little midget with blue hair and fair skin. He had long bangs dangling down his forehead and a small ponytail. His eyes were almost into slits, forming a smiley kind of face. He didn't have ears like a human does, but a pair of cat-like ears sticking out of his head and a relatively long tail sticking out of his butt the colour of blonde fur. Yet he was as naked as a baby and had no fur on the rest of his body. He had his hands placed onto the display window and was looking at Tasuki in earnest. The ironic thing was that this little midget was actually surrounded by cats and kittens far smaller than he was. Tasuki looked up at the sign of the shop and noticed it bore the words in bold: MITSUKAKE'S LIL' PETSHOP.
Tasuki was curious. He went in and was greeted by the shopkeeper whom he assumed to be Mitsukake. He pointed his thumb at the display section and asked, "What is that little midget at your display window among all those felines?"
Mitsukake craned his neck to see what he was pointing and said, "Oh, him. That's one of our prized pets—a man-cat."
"Man-cat?" Tasuki wrinkled his nose in surprise.
"Yup. It's a very trendy new breed of pet nowadays. Scientists have combined the DNA of humans with cats to create this hybrid. Just out in the market last month. Very popular and very pricey, I have to say. Most of my customers who buy man-cats like these are usually from wealthy families."
"Well, that rules me out," Tasuki huffed. "I can't even afford to buy cat food, let alone buy a cat."
"Would you like to take a look first?" Mitsukake offered. "Maybe he might interest you a little."
Tasuki contemplated for a minute before saying, "Well, I guess taking a look at it wouldn't hurt."
Mitsukake excused himself and walked over to the display section. Seconds later, he came back with the little man-cat in his hands. He sat the man-cat onto the counter and continued, "This is a man-kitten, sir. He's still relatively young. He has a little flaw though. His left eye was injured when he was born, thanks to some inexperienced vet, so he's pretty much blind with only one eye. I could give you a discount on this one."
"Annou, I've already said I don't want..."
Before Tasuki could finish his words, the man-kitten leapt onto Tasuki and purred. He nuzzled at Tasuki's chest affectionately and even attempted to lick Tasuki's nose. Tasuki grumbled and pulled at the man-kitten's scruff but he whined, refusing to let go.
"I think he likes you, sir." Mitsukake grinned with interest. "Do you want to reconsider?"
"I told you, I don't want it. I can't even keep myself full, let alone feed him."
"The discount offer is still available."
"Sunimase, not interested."
Mitsukake shrugged in defeat and walked over to the end of the shop to tend to the other stared at the man-kitten who was still hanging onto his work clothes. The man-kitten smiled and purred like all cats do when they want to persuade someone to meet their needs. Tasuki's heart warmed up a little to see that this little hybrid that he had only met for the first time would show much trust and liking towards him. Even the girls he tried to tackle didn't show as much affection as this. Maybe he could just buy lesser this month...
He was struck back to his senses when he realized his hand was in his pocket trying to fish out his wallet. What was he thinking? He was going to spend almost his month's salary for a pet he barely even needed. Hastily, he pried the man-kitten off him and placed him on the counter before he made a dash out of the shop. He ran and ran until he couldn't run anymore. He heaved a sigh of relief, thinking that he was far from the pet shop.
Just when he thought his troubles were all over, he was shocked to find out that the man-kitten had sneaked out of the shop to follow him. Didn't Mitsukake the shopkeeper even notice that his prized pet was missing? Tasuki had the right mind to take the man-kitten back to the shop and demand Mitsukake to keep an eye on his own products, but he decided against it. He was afraid that Mitsukake would go striking him another bargain and persuading him to waste his money on this pest.
Finally, he had an idea. He let the man-kitten follow him for a while until he reached a junction. Then, as quickly as he could, he slipped into one of the secluded areas of the junction and hid out of sight, hoping that the man-kitten would give up following him and go back to the shop where he belonged. He waited for a minute or two before taking a peek to see if the man-kitten was gone. He saw the man-kitten, naked as he was, remained standing a few feet from the junction, looking left and right for the red-haired feisty man he came to be fond of. He had a worried look on his face and seemed quizzical about Tasuki's whereabouts. Tasuki grinned silently.
'Yes, you little pest. I'm not here. Just go home, pussy, just...'
His thoughts stopped short when he saw the man-kitten fall onto his knees looking sad and disappointed. His shoulders quivered and he was looking down at the floor. Before Tasuki knew it, he was crying pools of tears, whining and mewing sadly like a little lost child.
Tasuki's heart ached...
"Ah, hello again, sir," Mitsukake greeted Tasuki as he saw him coming into his shop again with the man-kitten in his arms. The man-kitten was sleeping peacefully in his embrace, his head laid gently on his shoulder. "And I see you've brought back my little escapee."
"Do you take monthly installments?"
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