After we left the box our lives didn't seem to improve much. Mostly we ran a lot. Ran from humans, ran from other hybrids, ran from the bad ones. Later I learned the bad ones were Animal Control. They scared us the most because they are the ones who took our parents.
Kiyoko was always getting us into trouble. She would hatch these schemes, either for food, or to get us cloths, or to get something the others wanted. Haruko would be the distraction. He was the smartest of us. If he wore a hat and tucked his tail the adults thought he was a lost human child. He would cry and give them some story about how he lost his mom in the crowd. While they were distracted Kiyoko would sneak in and grab the prize. If we got caught...I was the scape goat. I was the one who tricked the humans into following me, and I was the one who got punished. Haruko and Kiyoko would save me if it looked really bad though. Peeko,being the tiniest and weakest would usually be waiting at our safe spot for us to get back.
Kiyoko always picked on me."Maybe if you would toughen up those humans wouldn't catch you so eaisily Meeko. You're such a baby! Always making us have to save you." I would just sit there. "Why do I always gotta be the one to get caught. I could distract them too ya know." Haruko would look up from whatever book he had stolen. "Because we're older than you. So we decide who does what. Besides, you can't pass for human. You look too much like dad...and he wasn't a cat like mom. You look too wild." I didn't understand what he was talking about. It wasn't fair! I always got beat up! Peeko whimpered. "I hate it when you guys fight...hic...we're supposed to take care of each other. I...I want mommy!!"
Haruko held her. "Shhh...we're sorry Peeko. We won't fight anymore." He looked sharply at Kiyoko. "Right Kiyo?" She nodded. I looked up at the stars. "There must be another way. Maybe we can get a human to take us in?" Peeko sniffled and looked up. "T...that sounds nice. Someone to cuddle, and pet me, and feed me, and play with me." Haruko and Kiyoko exchanged a look. It had to work. There must be nice humans out there somewhere.
Haruko made a sign saying 'Free Kittens.' He held it up while Kiyoko and Peeko meowed and purred at the humans who passed us on the streets. I tried to look cute too, but no one ever looked at me. Peeko was the first to get taken. A little girl walking with her mom wanted her. Peeko had run up and hugged her. "Where did you little ones come from?" Kiyoko smiled. "We were left out here by our mother's Mistress. We just want nice homes. Please take care of our sister!" She bowed to the mother, and the lady smiled. "Aren't you just adorable." She pulled out her phone. "Mimiru...it's Kaiya. You said you were looking to get a pet right. I found the most adorable kittens on the street. No...no...does it matter? They're cute and free! You said you didn't have enough money to get one from the shelter right? I'm taking one for Rin. Ok I'll bring you one too. See ya." The lady smiled at Kiyoko. "My neighbor was looking to get a pet as well. Would you like yo come? Then you can stay close to your sister." Kiyoko smiled and nodded. It all happened so fast. Haruko and I were the only ones left.
Haruko looked down at the ground. "I had hoped they'd take all of us..." He sat on the curb and watched the cars go by. I stood and held the sign hoping someone would take us too. I heard Haruko inhale sharply, and turned to see him bolt off across the street. An older man was about to walk out in front of a car. I thought for sure my brother would die, but he managed to push the man back. "Oh my...what have we here?" I ran over. "H...Haruko!!" The man smiled. "A cat huh? Never thought one of them would save me." He took off his glasses and wiped them off. "My old eyes aren't what they used to be. Darn things are failing on me." He put them back on and pet Haruko's head. "If you hadn't pushed me I'd be dead...seeing how you have no tag I'm guessing you have no home." He stood up and took Haruko's hand. "My house is small, and was once filled with my family. Sadly they have all moved on. I don't have much to offer other than some company and a warm fire to rest by, but it would make this old man very happy to have someone to talk to. What say you little kitten?" Haruko had tears in his eyes when he said yes. I watched them leave. My brother looked so happy. But now I was all alone.
