[kiwipen]

for krazykitty00 for real this time

[krazykitty00]

"That pompous oaf, I swear, I'll have his head leavin' me behind like this." A grumble sounded as Vibrant stalked her way along the ruin's edge. Another day on patrol, and another day of Vikar unable to resist the call of his nose. As great of a hunter he is, he is terrible at ignoring the lure of his magic. The second a meal enters his radar, there was no stopping him from pursuing it. And thus, once again, it left Vibrant to actually do the job they were assigned. "Nebula forbid there is actually a cat bold enough to enter this place unannounced, but if I get attacked, he will be dead then and there." She spat, clawing at the grass with each back paw, scorching the ground beneath with the front. Vikar was in for an earful once she got back.

There was a rustle, and a soft sound. That was all that was needed to push all Vibrant's anger back, body tensing and flexing as her gaze snapped over to her right. Flaming eyes aglow even with the light of the sun beaming down, Vibrant puffed up her fur, appearing larger, dangerous, and called out with a snarl. "Step out and show yourself now, or face Nebula's wrath." This was no sound of prey, she knew that well. The weight of the step was much to balanced and heavy to be one of the small creatures that came. No. This was a cat. Unfamiliar in scent, fearful, given how Vibrant could hear the heaviness of their breath. Good. Trespassers are not given mercy for daring to threaten this sacred home. There was a heartbeat of silence. Then another. Then another. Another too many before Vibrant took an angered step forward and yowled loudly. "Show yourself!"

A small yelp, followed by an even smaller cry gave Vibrant pause. Trembling and frightful, a head poked out from the underbrush, eyeing Vibrant with caution and... something else? Vibrant didn't understand but she didn't much try to either, as the new face slowly approached, revealing themself. "L-Listen- I know I'm not welcome but-"

"SILENCE!" Vibrant countered, making the cat before her pause and crouch, shaking. Vibrant eyed this stranger, they looked small. Too small. Smaller than what should be normal. Yet this tiny thing had the audacity to step on her territory and approach her. And then speak? Clearly they had no manners. "I don't know who you think you are, but you've got some nerve to-" The other cut her off. "H-Hey- look, j-just- hold on!" Vibrant looked offended. Shocked even. So shocked that she could only stare at this cat as they turned back into the underbrush, sifting around for a moment. Her mind slowed, grasping at words to try and understand just what was happening and who had the gall to disrespect her in such a way! But she did not get the chance. As she short-circuited, the cat before her turned back towards, this time, with a kitten in their maw. Vibrant blinked, first at the kitten, then the cat, then the kitten again.

"I-" Once again, she was cut off once more as the cat placed the kitten down and slid them over to Vibrant. "You look strong. A-And powerful! And pretty. So please, do me this favor. Take care of them- please? I can't protect them anymore.." For the first time in a long time, Vibrant was speechless. Mind racing a mile a minute as she continued to look down at this stranger. They wanted her to do what? She didn't know the first thing about kits. They were small, fragile, and probably couldn't protect a border at all! "I'm not watching it! I am not a nursery! What kind of parent abandons their child anyway? You can't just-" Ah... that look on the other cat's face made her words fade. Sad, heartbroken, lonely. Vibrant felt her ears fall and her chest tighten. And they had the audacity to call her pretty...

"I know- it's terrible. But.. you look strong and capable." The cat bowed their head. "So I leave them to you." And without waiting for a response, the cat hurried off. "W-Whoa- Hey! HEY! I did not agree to this! Get back here!" Vibrant began to give chase, a paw moving forward, but the small whimper of the kitten by her paws made her stop and look down. In her swift movement, she seemed to step on the small thing's tail. "G-Gah.. sorry sorry.." She mumbled before looking in the direction of where the stranger went. Of course they were gone. The scent lingered but Vibrant was never the best when it came to tracking. With a huff, she looked back to the kitten who seemed to stare back at her, despite their eyes being closed. It was pitiful.. How could a cat so pretty leave behind their kit so easily. A terrible one it seemed. "Listen.. just because I'm stuck with you doesn't mean anything.. I'm sure Lord Sidus can figure out something..." She muttered. The kitten looked at her.. or so it felt.. and squeaked the tiniest of sounds. Vibrant had to shut her eyes for a moment and huff, steam leaving her nose as she calmed herself. Why did this thing have to be cute...?

"No more noises." She declared, the only way to keep her heart from doing flips from the adorable kitten. She crouched and picked the kitten up by the scruff, preparing to return to base, but upon looking up, she met the wide eyes of her supposed patrol partner. Instantly, her eyes filled with annoyance. "Whoa- Vibrant! I didn't know you were-" He didn't get to finish. A flaming back paw kicked him square in the side, forcing all the air out of him for a good second. "G-Got it- won't say anything-" He wheezed out. Satisfied, Vibrant began her way back to base. Things were going to be a little complicated for a while.

999 words