"Spikes!" Kitty whined for her best friend as she wandered the mansion's halls.
She'd already searched the canine's room, and now was praying she was somewhere, anywhere in the house. Because she did not want to see David alone. Not today.
"Goddamnit, Spikes." Kitty hissed, stomping her feet as she entered the living room.
Takado turned to look at her, and eyebrow raised.
"She left with Mohawk Guy about twenty minutes ago." Takado informed her, his eyes staying on her as she sighed heavily.
She fell on the seat beside him, muttering quietly under her breath
"I was really hoping she would come with me to see David." Kitty explained, surprised to find his eyes still on her.
"I guess that's what I get for wanting to ask so last minute."
"Isn't he practically your boyfriend?"
"Ha, god no." Kitty responded quickly, shaking her head.
"I would never date him, not after-"
Kitty paused as she watched Takado's shoulders and features relax slighty. Was he... relieved?
"Sorry, I just kind of assumed since you see him often." Takado explained, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I only see him so often to make sure he keeps up his end on a deal we made." Kitty scoffed. Her eyes widened as she covered her mouth. She couldn't believe she'd told him something she hadn't even mentioned to Spikes.
"No I just. I meant that- It isn't like-"
"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Kitty." Takado smiled at her, and without thinking she found herself smiling back.
"I am curious as to why you want Carissa with you for that."
Kitty's smile widened, grateful to be on a new subject.
"No real reason. It's just that even if I'm not interested in him, he thinks he's in love with me." Kitty sighed, eyes saddening.
"I just prefer to bring Spikes so he doesn't start to think it's a date when I meet with him."
"I could go with you, if you want."
Kitty's eyes widened and her mouth hung open as she stared at Takado, disbelief etched clearly on her face.
"Seriously?"
"I would never date him, not after-"
Kitty paused as she watched Takado's shoulders and features relax slighty. Was he... relieved?
"Sorry, I just kind of assumed since you see him often." Takado explained, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I only see him so often to make sure he keeps up his end on a deal we made." Kitty scoffed. Her eyes widened as she covered her mouth. She couldn't believe she'd told him something she hadn't even mentioned to Spikes.
"No I just. I meant that- It isn't like-"
"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Kitty." Takado smiled at her, and without thinking she found herself smiling back.
"I am curious as to why you want Carissa with you for that."
Kitty's smile widened, grateful to be on a new subject.
"No real reason. It's just that even if I'm not interested in him, he thinks he's in love with me." Kitty sighed, eyes saddening.
"I just prefer to bring Spikes so he doesn't start to think it's a date when I meet with him."
"I could go with you, if you want."
Kitty's eyes widened and her mouth hung open as she stared at Takado, disbelief etched clearly on her face.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, seriously." Takado stood up, stretching.
"I think I'd be a better person to take if you're trying to send him a message that you're not interested anyways."
"You'd seriously do that for me?" Kitty laughed, still staring at him.
"I thought you hated humans."
"I thought I hated cats." Takado offered his hand out to her to help her up.
"I mean, I still don't like you. But I don't think I hate you anymore."
Kitty grinned, taking his hand. She turned around, hugging him briefly before turning away.
"I don't like you either, Tako."
"So what time were you going to meet with him.?"
Kitty giggled nervously, running a hand through her hair.
"Like five minutes ago."
"You don't even care do you?" Takado laughed as he opened the door, letting her pass through.
"Nope!"
...
"I think I'd be a better person to take if you're trying to send him a message that you're not interested anyways."
"You'd seriously do that for me?" Kitty laughed, still staring at him.
"I thought you hated humans."
"I thought I hated cats." Takado offered his hand out to her to help her up.
"I mean, I still don't like you. But I don't think I hate you anymore."
Kitty grinned, taking his hand. She turned around, hugging him briefly before turning away.
"I don't like you either, Tako."
"So what time were you going to meet with him.?"
Kitty giggled nervously, running a hand through her hair.
"Like five minutes ago."
"You don't even care do you?" Takado laughed as he opened the door, letting her pass through.
"Nope!"
...
"David, I'm so sorry I'm late." Kitty feigned sweetness.She paused to straighten out her hair and shirt, biting down on her lip before she grabbed for David's hand.
"I hope you don't mind but I brought Takado with me."
"Seriously?" David stiffened, noticing her flushed cheeks and how she kept trying to fix her hair.
"Yeah." Kitty stuck out her lower lip, eyes widening slightly.
"We were hanging out and we, uh, lost track of time."
David looked up from Kitty, his glare falling on Takado's equally unkempt appearance. David struggled to smile at Kitty despite the wild assumptions flying though his mind, dropping Kitty's hands from his.
"Well it's fine, so let's get inside." David turned around and walked inside, leaving Kitty and Takado alone outside the restaurant.
"I hope you don't mind but I brought Takado with me."
"Seriously?" David stiffened, noticing her flushed cheeks and how she kept trying to fix her hair.
"Yeah." Kitty stuck out her lower lip, eyes widening slightly.
"We were hanging out and we, uh, lost track of time."
David looked up from Kitty, his glare falling on Takado's equally unkempt appearance. David struggled to smile at Kitty despite the wild assumptions flying though his mind, dropping Kitty's hands from his.
"Well it's fine, so let's get inside." David turned around and walked inside, leaving Kitty and Takado alone outside the restaurant.
"I told you it would work." Takado grinned smugly at her as Kitty turned around to face him.
"Did you see the look he gave me?"
"Yeah, but now he's thinking we... Well yeah." Kitty chuckled, her grin mischievous.
"I don't need crazy rumors flying around about me."
"It's not like you go out enough for it to matter." Takado reminded her, grabbing her nose.
Kitty rolled her eyes, pulling his hand away. She turned around and made her way into the restaurant.
"Let's go inside before he thinks anything else."
...
"Did you see the look he gave me?"
"Yeah, but now he's thinking we... Well yeah." Kitty chuckled, her grin mischievous.
"I don't need crazy rumors flying around about me."
"It's not like you go out enough for it to matter." Takado reminded her, grabbing her nose.
Kitty rolled her eyes, pulling his hand away. She turned around and made her way into the restaurant.
"Let's go inside before he thinks anything else."
...
“Hey so I was thinking maybe we could go see a movie together next weekend?" David suggested as they stepped out of the restaurant. Kitty turned to face him a small sigh escaping her lips.
"I'd really love to David, but I... uh-" Kitty bit down on her lip, struggling to think of an excuse not to see him.
"She's already going to a movie, with me." Takado grinned, crossing his arms over his chest. Watching David's face contort between rage and forced calm was becoming a new favorite game to Takado.
Enjoying the envy he brought out of the boy.
"What?" David glared at Takado, Kitty mouthing it beside him.
"I don't believe you."
"It's true though." Kitty lied smoothly, stepping in between the two boys.
"I just wasn't sure how to tell you."
"What are you two dating now?" David turned his glare on Kitty.
"Not yet."
"Okay that's enough you two." Kitty turned around, poking at Takado's chest.
"I'd really love to David, but I... uh-" Kitty bit down on her lip, struggling to think of an excuse not to see him.
"She's already going to a movie, with me." Takado grinned, crossing his arms over his chest. Watching David's face contort between rage and forced calm was becoming a new favorite game to Takado.
Enjoying the envy he brought out of the boy.
"What?" David glared at Takado, Kitty mouthing it beside him.
"I don't believe you."
"It's true though." Kitty lied smoothly, stepping in between the two boys.
"I just wasn't sure how to tell you."
"What are you two dating now?" David turned his glare on Kitty.
"Not yet."
"Okay that's enough you two." Kitty turned around, poking at Takado's chest.
"I'll see you later, okay?" She smiled back at David, stepping forward hugging him for a moment.
David wrapped his arms around her, holding her steady despite her reluctance
Takado bit down on the inside of his cheek as he watched the two embrace. He looked away after a moment, wondering why it even bothered him at all.
It was none of his business who held her.
"I'll see you later, Kitty." David smiled softly, letting her go. He moved to kiss her cheek but she quickly moved out of the way, backing up against Takado.
Takado looked up, nodding curtly towards David before making his way to the car. Kitty trotted up to his side, lightly grabbed the cloth of his shirt.
David wrapped his arms around her, holding her steady despite her reluctance
Takado bit down on the inside of his cheek as he watched the two embrace. He looked away after a moment, wondering why it even bothered him at all.
It was none of his business who held her.
"I'll see you later, Kitty." David smiled softly, letting her go. He moved to kiss her cheek but she quickly moved out of the way, backing up against Takado.
Takado looked up, nodding curtly towards David before making his way to the car. Kitty trotted up to his side, lightly grabbed the cloth of his shirt.
"Link arms with me." Kitty ordered, grinning mischievously at him.
"And why would I want to do that?" Takado grinned back, raising an eyebrow.
"Because you enjoy pissing off David?" Kitty rolled her eyes.
"Don't even pretend you don't. I've been watching you, Rovain. You were having fun messing with that poor guy."
Takado linked his arm with Kitty's. They both nearly collapsed with laughter at the very audible groan that came from David.
"I don't see why you waste your time with him." Takado commented as they stepped around the corner.
"Stupid human should know he doesn't stand a chance with you."
"What does that mean?" Kitty glared up at him, hesitating slightly.
"It means what I said." Takado released her arm, turning to face her.
"You don't have feelings for him. He should give up. And even if you did care for him, you could do so much better than a human."
"If I had any feelings for him, it wouldn't matter to me if he were human." Kitty spoke softly, surprising Takado.
"When I finally find someone that I love, that I want to be with. Superficial things like cat or dog, human or demon, hell maybe even boy or girl. None of that matters, not to me."
"And why would I want to do that?" Takado grinned back, raising an eyebrow.
"Because you enjoy pissing off David?" Kitty rolled her eyes.
"Don't even pretend you don't. I've been watching you, Rovain. You were having fun messing with that poor guy."
Takado linked his arm with Kitty's. They both nearly collapsed with laughter at the very audible groan that came from David.
"I don't see why you waste your time with him." Takado commented as they stepped around the corner.
"Stupid human should know he doesn't stand a chance with you."
"What does that mean?" Kitty glared up at him, hesitating slightly.
"It means what I said." Takado released her arm, turning to face her.
"You don't have feelings for him. He should give up. And even if you did care for him, you could do so much better than a human."
"If I had any feelings for him, it wouldn't matter to me if he were human." Kitty spoke softly, surprising Takado.
"When I finally find someone that I love, that I want to be with. Superficial things like cat or dog, human or demon, hell maybe even boy or girl. None of that matters, not to me."
Takado stared at her with stunned silence, unsure of what to say, unsure of the way her words seemed to make his own heart flip.
"I mean... I just can't imagine letting go of someone I care deeply for over something so trivial, can you?" Kitty took a step closer, her gaze meeting his defiantly, but without anger.
"Do you really expect me to believe that even you would let go of someone you truly loved just because they weren't 'up to code'?"
"I... no, but I-" Takado stared at her blankly. She's rendered him completely speechless.
Kitty rest her hand on his shoulder, her eyes still glued to his.
"Imagine with me if you met the perfect woman, someone smart, fun to be around, and you can connect with her. Would you really just let her go just because she were human or a cat?"
Takado stood silently, watching Kitty as she turned and walked away from his. His thoughts running wild in his mind.
All his prejudice had been learned from his father, and when he thought about it... He had never understood why.
He simply accepted it and did as he was told.
Takado shook his head, forcing the thoughts of his father out of his mind, avoiding thoughts of what Kitty had said to him.
"I mean... I just can't imagine letting go of someone I care deeply for over something so trivial, can you?" Kitty took a step closer, her gaze meeting his defiantly, but without anger.
"Do you really expect me to believe that even you would let go of someone you truly loved just because they weren't 'up to code'?"
"I... no, but I-" Takado stared at her blankly. She's rendered him completely speechless.
Kitty rest her hand on his shoulder, her eyes still glued to his.
"Imagine with me if you met the perfect woman, someone smart, fun to be around, and you can connect with her. Would you really just let her go just because she were human or a cat?"
Takado stood silently, watching Kitty as she turned and walked away from his. His thoughts running wild in his mind.
All his prejudice had been learned from his father, and when he thought about it... He had never understood why.
He simply accepted it and did as he was told.
Takado shook his head, forcing the thoughts of his father out of his mind, avoiding thoughts of what Kitty had said to him.
There was one thought though. One that echoed in the back of his mind. One he hardly noticed, one that he didn’t pay any attention to.
Don’t let her go.
…
"Okay so, let me get this straight. His name is The Doctor, not Doctor Who. He's smart but not an actual doctor, and flies around time and space in an English police box?" Takado sighed as Kitty giggled beside him, nodding encouragingly.
"Why can't you watch normal television?"
"Doctor Who is totally normal television." Kitty protested, sticking her tongue out at Takado.
Kitty yawned, stretching her legs out and resting them in Takado's lap. She waited for his protest, and smiled softly when it never came.
Takado grabbed her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles.
"I don't think I dislike you anymore."
Kitty stared at him blankly, fidgeting in her seat.
"Even though I'm a cat?"
"Yeah." Takado leaned closer. He rest his other hand on her knee, staring into her eyes.
"Just you though. You're the only exception."
Kitty felt her cheeks grow warm as she turned her head away from him
Takado leaned closer, his lips parting slightly as if to say more.
Both Takado and Kitty jumped as the living room door swung open.
"Why can't you watch normal television?"
"Doctor Who is totally normal television." Kitty protested, sticking her tongue out at Takado.
Kitty yawned, stretching her legs out and resting them in Takado's lap. She waited for his protest, and smiled softly when it never came.
Takado grabbed her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles.
"I don't think I dislike you anymore."
Kitty stared at him blankly, fidgeting in her seat.
"Even though I'm a cat?"
"Yeah." Takado leaned closer. He rest his other hand on her knee, staring into her eyes.
"Just you though. You're the only exception."
Kitty felt her cheeks grow warm as she turned her head away from him
Takado leaned closer, his lips parting slightly as if to say more.
Both Takado and Kitty jumped as the living room door swung open.
"Hey Kitty where did you put my..." Spikes trailed off as her eyes fell on Kitty and Takado sitting together.
"I was uhm... wondering where you put the leather jacket I let you borrow last week."
"Yeah it's in my room. What's going on?" Kitty asked, hesitantly standing up from her seat.
"We're supposed to go see how the bar's renovations are going, remember?" Spikes sighed, a scowl forming on her face.
"You insisted I let you come with me this time, and you didn't even remember?"
"Sorry Spikes. I guess I spaced." Kitty rubbed her arm with her hand.
"I'll go get your jacket."
Takado stood up, grabbing her forearm before she left.
"Grab a thick jacket for yourself Kitty. It snowed last night and I know how easily you get cold."
Kitty smiled brightly at him, nodding as she pulled away and exited the living room.
Takado sighed softly, his eyes lingering on the door Kitty had gone through, a small smile on his lips.
"I was uhm... wondering where you put the leather jacket I let you borrow last week."
"Yeah it's in my room. What's going on?" Kitty asked, hesitantly standing up from her seat.
"We're supposed to go see how the bar's renovations are going, remember?" Spikes sighed, a scowl forming on her face.
"You insisted I let you come with me this time, and you didn't even remember?"
"Sorry Spikes. I guess I spaced." Kitty rubbed her arm with her hand.
"I'll go get your jacket."
Takado stood up, grabbing her forearm before she left.
"Grab a thick jacket for yourself Kitty. It snowed last night and I know how easily you get cold."
Kitty smiled brightly at him, nodding as she pulled away and exited the living room.
Takado sighed softly, his eyes lingering on the door Kitty had gone through, a small smile on his lips.
"What are you smiling about?" Spikes tried not to growl as she watched her brother. Watched his eyes on Kitty, watched the longing in them when she'd stepped away.
"You weren't even looking at the TV."
"I could still hear it. Calm down Risa." Takado grinned, ducking as she tried to swing at him.
Spikes growled, crossing her arms as she sat down on the couch's armrest. Takado sighed, glancing at his sister
"Here you go Spikes." Kitty tossed Spikes's jacket to her as she reentered the room.
"Are we leaving now, or in a few minutes.?"
"We should probably head out now." Takado stood up making his way over to Kitty.
"It's roughly a twenty five minute drive into town, and I know how Carissa likes to be early to everything."
Kitty and Takado smiled at each other. They turned to find Spikes glaring at the wall.
"Spikes is everything okay?"
Her head snapped up, eyes locking with Kitty's as she let out a slow sigh.
"Yeah, let's go."
"Shot gun!" Kitty called out as she ran out the front door.
"No way! You got it last time." Spikes barked chasing after the cat. Takado rolled his eyes at the two girls as he locked up the house.
"Are we leaving now, or in a few minutes.?"
"We should probably head out now." Takado stood up making his way over to Kitty.
"It's roughly a twenty five minute drive into town, and I know how Carissa likes to be early to everything."
Kitty and Takado smiled at each other. They turned to find Spikes glaring at the wall.
"Spikes is everything okay?"
Her head snapped up, eyes locking with Kitty's as she let out a slow sigh.
"Yeah, let's go."
"Shot gun!" Kitty called out as she ran out the front door.
"No way! You got it last time." Spikes barked chasing after the cat. Takado rolled his eyes at the two girls as he locked up the house.
Kitty screamed as Spikes tackled her into a snow drift. Takado laughed as he watched the two girls wrestle, throwing snow at each other.
"Alright you two, knock it off." Takado chuckled, trying to grab his sister.
"We have to go."
Spikes easily pulled herself free from Takado's grip, throwing a snow ball at Kitty's face.
Takado groaned as Kitty shoved Spikes down into another snow drift.
"That's enough." Takado grabbed Kitty's waist and lifted her into the air.
"Tako, put me down!" Kitty squeaked, struggling to get away from him.
"No more snow fighting and I'll put you down."
"... Fine" Kitty crossed her arms, pouting. Takado rolled his eyes and set her down. He patted her hair lightly as he walked past her.
"Alright you two, knock it off." Takado chuckled, trying to grab his sister.
"We have to go."
Spikes easily pulled herself free from Takado's grip, throwing a snow ball at Kitty's face.
Takado groaned as Kitty shoved Spikes down into another snow drift.
"That's enough." Takado grabbed Kitty's waist and lifted her into the air.
"Tako, put me down!" Kitty squeaked, struggling to get away from him.
"No more snow fighting and I'll put you down."
"... Fine" Kitty crossed her arms, pouting. Takado rolled his eyes and set her down. He patted her hair lightly as he walked past her.
"I've still got dibs on shotgun, Spikes." Kitty grinned, sticking her tongue out at her.
"Takado!" Spikes whined at her brother.
"Just let her have it Carissa. Don't you think you're a little old to be arguing over who sits where?" Takado chuckled.
Kitty smiled brightly at him, bouncing with excitement over her victory. He laughed, gently flicking her nose.
Kitty turned to face Spikes, surprised by the sadness she saw in her eyes.
"Hey... If you really want I can sit in the back." Kitty offered as she took a few steps towards her best friend.
"I was only messing around Spikes."
"It's fine Kitty. Just go ahead." Spikes growled as she pushed past her, climbing into the backseat of her brother's truck.
Kitty sighed softly as she leaned back in her seat, pulling her knees to her chest as Takado drove them towards the city.
The silence of the car had begun to make her feel anxious. She looked nervously at Takado, relieved to see that he at least wasn't in a foul mood.
Takado glanced at her from the corner of his eye, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Kitty's cheeks flushed, quickly turning to look out the car window.
Spikes sighed with relief as they approached the club. She jumped out of the truck before Takado had even taken the keys out and ran towards the front door.
"Takado!" Spikes whined at her brother.
"Just let her have it Carissa. Don't you think you're a little old to be arguing over who sits where?" Takado chuckled.
Kitty smiled brightly at him, bouncing with excitement over her victory. He laughed, gently flicking her nose.
Kitty turned to face Spikes, surprised by the sadness she saw in her eyes.
"Hey... If you really want I can sit in the back." Kitty offered as she took a few steps towards her best friend.
"I was only messing around Spikes."
"It's fine Kitty. Just go ahead." Spikes growled as she pushed past her, climbing into the backseat of her brother's truck.
Kitty sighed softly as she leaned back in her seat, pulling her knees to her chest as Takado drove them towards the city.
The silence of the car had begun to make her feel anxious. She looked nervously at Takado, relieved to see that he at least wasn't in a foul mood.
Takado glanced at her from the corner of his eye, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Kitty's cheeks flushed, quickly turning to look out the car window.
Spikes sighed with relief as they approached the club. She jumped out of the truck before Takado had even taken the keys out and ran towards the front door.
"She's sure in a hurry." Takado murmured as he stepped out of the truck. He opened the passenger door, leaning against it when Kitty hadn't moved.
"You coming?"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry." Kitty shook her head and quickly stepped out of the truck. She shivered against the cool breeze as she made her way towards Spikes.
"Are you okay?" Takado asked. Kitty slowed her pace, allowing him to catch up to her.
"I'm fine Takado. Just cold I guess."
Kitty gasped as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Her eyes wide as she looked up to his.
"You should have known to grab a thicker jacket." Takado ran his hand along her arm. Kitty leaned against him, a soft purr escaping her lips.
The couldn't make out Spikes's cheer as she finally unlocked the door, and it swung open.
Spikes grinned, turning around to tell Kitty and Takado to hurry up.
Her blood and eyes went ice cold as she watched her brother's arm drop from Kitty's shoulder.
They silently ascended the stairs. Spikes made sure to stay several steps ahead of her brother and Kitty.
A deep sense of betrayal resting in her gut.
"So Spikes-" Kitty froze as Spikes glared at her, running the rest of the way up and into her bar.
Kitty clutched a hand to her chest, tears filling her eyes
"Hey." Takado's voice was gentle. His hand lightly grabbing her arm.
"Kitty, what's up?"
"Nothing." Kitty hissed, pulling away from him.
"Shouldn't you be with your sister, not me?"
"If that's what you want." Kitty flinched at the hurt in his voice.
She looked up at him as he walked away, her fingertips felt numb, and her voice dry as she tried to call out to him.
She ran after him, grabbing for his hand.
"You should have known to grab a thicker jacket." Takado ran his hand along her arm. Kitty leaned against him, a soft purr escaping her lips.
The couldn't make out Spikes's cheer as she finally unlocked the door, and it swung open.
Spikes grinned, turning around to tell Kitty and Takado to hurry up.
Her blood and eyes went ice cold as she watched her brother's arm drop from Kitty's shoulder.
They silently ascended the stairs. Spikes made sure to stay several steps ahead of her brother and Kitty.
A deep sense of betrayal resting in her gut.
"So Spikes-" Kitty froze as Spikes glared at her, running the rest of the way up and into her bar.
Kitty clutched a hand to her chest, tears filling her eyes
"Hey." Takado's voice was gentle. His hand lightly grabbing her arm.
"Kitty, what's up?"
"Nothing." Kitty hissed, pulling away from him.
"Shouldn't you be with your sister, not me?"
"If that's what you want." Kitty flinched at the hurt in his voice.
She looked up at him as he walked away, her fingertips felt numb, and her voice dry as she tried to call out to him.
She ran after him, grabbing for his hand.
"Wait... Please..." Kitty managed to whisper as his fingers slipped from hers.
"Takado I-"
She paused, watching him cross his arms as he grinned at her.
"Want to sit with me while we wait for Carissa to finish?" Takado offered.
Kitty inhaled sharply. She came to be with Spikes, but...
She nodded, walking alongside Takado.
It didn't seem like Spikes really wanted her around right now anyways.
...
"Takado I-"
She paused, watching him cross his arms as he grinned at her.
"Want to sit with me while we wait for Carissa to finish?" Takado offered.
Kitty inhaled sharply. She came to be with Spikes, but...
She nodded, walking alongside Takado.
It didn't seem like Spikes really wanted her around right now anyways.
...
"Are we doing anything for Thanksgiving this year?" Spikes asked. She sat down on the opposite side of Takado, a frown still cemented on her face.
"I don't know Spikes. It is just the three of us." Kitty responded quietly.
"It did suck not doing anything last year though."
"Why didn't you do anything last year?" Takado raised an eyebrow at the girls, surprised Kitty would let a holiday pass with making a big deal of it.
"It wasn't worth it." Sprikes shrugged, reaching over the bar and organizing a few things.
"It was just the two of us and everyone we knew was busy with their own families. I mean, I could have gone with Xander, but that would have left Kitty completely alone."
"She couldn't go with Nadine? Or maybe David to see his family?"
It was an innocent enough question, with innocent intent. But Kitty jumped out of her seat, backing herself against a wall.
She shook her head violently as she covered her eyes, slowly sliding down to the floor.
"I don't know Spikes. It is just the three of us." Kitty responded quietly.
"It did suck not doing anything last year though."
"Why didn't you do anything last year?" Takado raised an eyebrow at the girls, surprised Kitty would let a holiday pass with making a big deal of it.
"It wasn't worth it." Sprikes shrugged, reaching over the bar and organizing a few things.
"It was just the two of us and everyone we knew was busy with their own families. I mean, I could have gone with Xander, but that would have left Kitty completely alone."
"She couldn't go with Nadine? Or maybe David to see his family?"
It was an innocent enough question, with innocent intent. But Kitty jumped out of her seat, backing herself against a wall.
She shook her head violently as she covered her eyes, slowly sliding down to the floor.
"No..." Kitty's voice was barely a whisper.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Spikes growled at Takado. She grabbed Kitty's hand, pulling her away from the wall and into her arms.
Takado stared blankly at the two girls. Spikes ran her hand through Kitty's hair, softly whispering to her.
"Kitty..." Takado stood from his seat. He approached the girls, resting his hand on her arm.
"I'm... sorry."
Kitty blinked, turning to glance at him.
Takado's chest felt heavy as he watched tears fall from her eyes. He'd seen her cry many times, it was something she did often.
But never like this.
He'd never seen her this scared before.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Spikes growled at Takado. She grabbed Kitty's hand, pulling her away from the wall and into her arms.
Takado stared blankly at the two girls. Spikes ran her hand through Kitty's hair, softly whispering to her.
"Kitty..." Takado stood from his seat. He approached the girls, resting his hand on her arm.
"I'm... sorry."
Kitty blinked, turning to glance at him.
Takado's chest felt heavy as he watched tears fall from her eyes. He'd seen her cry many times, it was something she did often.
But never like this.
He'd never seen her this scared before.
"What if I teach you how to cook for Thanksgiving?" Takado forced a smile across his lips. He rubbed his thumb on her arm, keeping her attention on him as he tried to distract her.
"What?" Her brows furrowed as she leaned in closer to Spikes.
"You should always do something for the holidays. Even if it's something small." Takado's smile softened as the tension in her shoulders began to relax.
"So I'll make a small Thanksgiving meal, and I'll try to teach you to cook so you can help me with it.
You did say you can't cook, remember?"
Kitty glanced up at Spikes, unsure of how to answer. Sighing softly she nodded to Takado.
Relief flooded his face and Spikes released Kitty. He stepped closer to her, placing his hand on her cheek and wiping away any remaining tears.
"I'm sorry." Kitty whimpered. Takado smiled, shaking his head as he brushed her hair out of her face.
"What are you apologizing for, Stupid?"
"I'm a mess..." Kitty lifted her arms to cover her face as she felt more tears well up.
"I don't know why anyone bothers with me. I'm not good for anything, I'd probably be a total goner if I wasn't born into a rich family, and I cry way too much."
"What?" Her brows furrowed as she leaned in closer to Spikes.
"You should always do something for the holidays. Even if it's something small." Takado's smile softened as the tension in her shoulders began to relax.
"So I'll make a small Thanksgiving meal, and I'll try to teach you to cook so you can help me with it.
You did say you can't cook, remember?"
Kitty glanced up at Spikes, unsure of how to answer. Sighing softly she nodded to Takado.
Relief flooded his face and Spikes released Kitty. He stepped closer to her, placing his hand on her cheek and wiping away any remaining tears.
"I'm sorry." Kitty whimpered. Takado smiled, shaking his head as he brushed her hair out of her face.
"What are you apologizing for, Stupid?"
"I'm a mess..." Kitty lifted her arms to cover her face as she felt more tears well up.
"I don't know why anyone bothers with me. I'm not good for anything, I'd probably be a total goner if I wasn't born into a rich family, and I cry way too much."
"You're beautiful." Takado grabbed her hands, keeping his eyes on hers.
Her heart raced as his face inched closer to hers. He flicked her nose gently, chuckling to himself.
"Don't be so hard on yourself."
He stepped back and stood beside her. Her cheeks flushed deep crimson as she felt his fingers intertwine with hers. He squeezed her hand lightly, and slowly she calmed down, leaning against his shoulder.
…
"So you just add water to bread to make it moist?" Kitty questioned from her seat on the kitchen's island counter.
"Kitty for the tenth time, stuffing if more than moist bread." Takado laughed, glancing over his shoulder at her.
"Right. It's moist bread with vegetables."
"I though you gave up on it and that's why I'm doing it now."
"I did." Kitty whined dramatically.
"But I still want to help."
"You can help make a mess." Takado laughed as she swatted his arm.
"I think it's been twenty minutes since that last one, which is a crime at this point."
"Keep laughing at me, Jackass." Kitty glared at him as she jumped onto the counter beside him.
"I'll just make you clean it all up."
Takado moved to stand in front of her, resting his hand beside her.
"Try this." He held out spoonful of stuffing.
Kitty eyed it, glancing at him before biting off a piece and grinning.
"I get it now. It's tasty moist bread!" Kitty giggled at Takado's sigh.
He leaned over, resting his head against her shoulder.
"You're a brat."
"And you're a jerk." Kitty laughed, his breath tickling her shoulder.
Takado straightened himself, opening his mouth to speak when a low growl caught his attention.
Takado walked towards the living room, Kitty following closely behind him.
He was surprised to find his sister on the couch growling at seemingly nothing.
"Carissa, are you okay?" Takado asked as he approached his sister.
She seemed to snap away from her thought as she stared up at Kitty and Takado with wide unblinking eyes.
"Spikes?" Kitty piped in when she remained silent.
"Sorry I just..." Spikes brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm going to go for a walk. I need some air."
Spikes stood from her seat turning to walk away. Takado reached out, grabbing her arm and turning her to face him.
She seemed to snap away from her thought as she stared up at Kitty and Takado with wide unblinking eyes.
"Spikes?" Kitty piped in when she remained silent.
"Sorry I just..." Spikes brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm going to go for a walk. I need some air."
Spikes stood from her seat turning to walk away. Takado reached out, grabbing her arm and turning her to face him.
"No you're going to stay here and tell me what's wrong." Takado growled his grip on her arm tightening.
"Look, I need space right now." Spikes barked, slapping his hand away.
"Don't make me talk about this, Takado."
"No. You're going to tell me now!"
"Fuck off, I'm an adult. I have a right to keep things to myself."
"That's enough!" Kitty shouted at both of them. Kitty sighed heavily, placing a hand on each canine's shoulder.
"Look, I need space right now." Spikes barked, slapping his hand away.
"Don't make me talk about this, Takado."
"No. You're going to tell me now!"
"Fuck off, I'm an adult. I have a right to keep things to myself."
"That's enough!" Kitty shouted at both of them. Kitty sighed heavily, placing a hand on each canine's shoulder.
"It's Thanksgiving, you shouldn't be fighting." Kitty protest, stomping her foot.
"Look I say Spikes goes on a walk, gets some air, and then answers any questions you have for her when she gets back okay?"
The two siblings continued to glare at each other, nodding hesitantly at Kitty's suggestion.
"Now stop glaring at each other. It's a day to be thankful and get fat, not bicker."
"Fine, you're right." Takado grumbled, relaxing his shoulders. He smiled down at Kitty, who smiled back at him sweetly.
"This! This right here is what has me so fucking pissed off." Spikes barked, startling both of them.
"You two are so into each other, and it's too much to handle."
"What the hell are you talking about Spikes?" Kitty scoffed. She kept her eyes away from Takado, biting the inside of her lip.
"Look I say Spikes goes on a walk, gets some air, and then answers any questions you have for her when she gets back okay?"
The two siblings continued to glare at each other, nodding hesitantly at Kitty's suggestion.
"Now stop glaring at each other. It's a day to be thankful and get fat, not bicker."
"Fine, you're right." Takado grumbled, relaxing his shoulders. He smiled down at Kitty, who smiled back at him sweetly.
"This! This right here is what has me so fucking pissed off." Spikes barked, startling both of them.
"You two are so into each other, and it's too much to handle."
"What the hell are you talking about Spikes?" Kitty scoffed. She kept her eyes away from Takado, biting the inside of her lip.
"Do you really think I'm that fucking dense?" Spikes snarled at Kitty.
"I can see it, smell it, feel it. And I know both of you can too."
"Carissa, you're being ridiculous." Takado rolled his eyes.
"Wow, you know if either of you cared about me as much as you claim to, you'd stop fucking lying to me." Spikes threw her hand into the air.
"You're basically in a relationship, and you're not fooling anyone other than yourselves."
"Spikes stop being stupid. We're not-"
"You know what fuck you." Spikes snapped, taking a step towards Kitty.
"Keep living a fucking lie because you're too scared to face the truth, because you're too scared to grow up. I'm out. Unlike the two you, I'm not satisfied living a lie."
"That is such fucking bullshit!" Kitty hissed darkly, her pupils shifting to slits.
"Excuse you?"
"You do nothing but lie to yourself about your relationship with Xander." Kitty approached Spikes, shoving her backwards.
"Don't talk down on me from your fucking high horse when you're being a hypocrite."
"My situation with Xander is different." Spikes barked back, but she could feel her strength leave her.
He keeps hurting you, and you keep fucking allowing it to continue." Kitty crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at Spikes.
"So don't you dare talk to me about lying to myself."
Takado stood speechless, glancing between the two girls as Kitty walked away. Spikes bit down on her lip, whistling for Damon as she ran out the door.
Takado sighed heavily, turning to follow after Kitty. He took her hand in his, stopping her from walking away.
"Are you okay Kitty?" He asked, stepping closer to her.
"I'm fine." Kitty grumbled. She looked down at her feet, letting her hair fall in her face.
"Doesn't seem like it." He whispered, pulling her into his arms. She nuzzled against his chest as tears began to fall down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have said any of that." Kitty whimpered, balling his shirt in her fists.
"I just got so angry. There was no reason for her to start getting angry at me."
Takado rest his head on top of Kitty's, softly rubbing her back as she cried.
"You're alright Kitty-kat. No,you shouldn't have said those things but she did push you." Takado whispered.
"Just apologize when you see her after you've both calmed down. She'll understand you were only speaking out of anger."
Takado smiled at her, taking a step back and wiping a tear away from her eye.
"Cheer up. A smile suits you much better than tears."
"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have said any of that." Kitty whimpered, balling his shirt in her fists.
"I just got so angry. There was no reason for her to start getting angry at me."
Takado rest his head on top of Kitty's, softly rubbing her back as she cried.
"You're alright Kitty-kat. No,you shouldn't have said those things but she did push you." Takado whispered.
"Just apologize when you see her after you've both calmed down. She'll understand you were only speaking out of anger."
Takado smiled at her, taking a step back and wiping a tear away from her eye.
"Cheer up. A smile suits you much better than tears."
"You don't think she was right, do you?" Takado hesitated, running a hand through his hair.
"About us, I mean."
"No she's just... stupid." Kitty responded, tears welling in her eyes once more.
"We're just friends. We can't ever be anything else."
"Why not?" Takado asked. Kitty looked up at him, her eyes wide, scared.
"Because I'm a cat. You hate cats, remember?"
"Other cats." Takado took a step closer to her.
"I remember telling you very recently that I didn't dislike you anymore."
"That doesn't mean you like me though." Kitty took a step back, rubbing her hand along her arm.
"You've always said you wouldn't want a cat."
"About us, I mean."
"No she's just... stupid." Kitty responded, tears welling in her eyes once more.
"We're just friends. We can't ever be anything else."
"Why not?" Takado asked. Kitty looked up at him, her eyes wide, scared.
"Because I'm a cat. You hate cats, remember?"
"Other cats." Takado took a step closer to her.
"I remember telling you very recently that I didn't dislike you anymore."
"That doesn't mean you like me though." Kitty took a step back, rubbing her hand along her arm.
"You've always said you wouldn't want a cat."
"Well, what if I met one that changed my mind?"
Kitty's eyes shifted to slits again, surprising herself at the burning jealousy she felt.
She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her hands.
"Must have been someone pretty spectacular." Kitty hissed despite herself.
"Yeah she is." Takado sigh, shaking his head gently.
"Recently you made me realize something."
"And what's that?"
"If I meet the perfect woman for me, I shouldn't let her go. For any reason." Takado smiled softly as her eyes met his.
Tears in her eyes, that shone with jealousy.
"Especially not just because she's a cat."
Takado grabbed her arm, heart beating rapidly as he tried to think of what else to say to her. What would get through her thick head.
Takado pulled Kitty by the arm he had been holding onto and wrapping his free arm around her waist and met his lips to hers.
Kitty's eyes shifted to slits again, surprising herself at the burning jealousy she felt.
She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her hands.
"Must have been someone pretty spectacular." Kitty hissed despite herself.
"Yeah she is." Takado sigh, shaking his head gently.
"Recently you made me realize something."
"And what's that?"
"If I meet the perfect woman for me, I shouldn't let her go. For any reason." Takado smiled softly as her eyes met his.
Tears in her eyes, that shone with jealousy.
"Especially not just because she's a cat."
Takado grabbed her arm, heart beating rapidly as he tried to think of what else to say to her. What would get through her thick head.
Takado pulled Kitty by the arm he had been holding onto and wrapping his free arm around her waist and met his lips to hers.
Kitty's eyes were wide in stunned silence for a moment before pulling her arm from Takado's grip.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair.
His hands found her waist, pulling her in closer.
Kitty felt a tear slip down her cheek and pushed him away.
They both stared at each other, breathing heavily.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair.
His hands found her waist, pulling her in closer.
Kitty felt a tear slip down her cheek and pushed him away.
They both stared at each other, breathing heavily.
"Kitty-"
"We shouldn't have done that." Kitty barely whispered. She took a step back from him.
"What?" Takado stuttered slightly.
"You're my best friend's brother, Takado." Kitty was barely able to speak through her tears.
"She just got you back. She's going to think I'm taking you away from her."
Takado's eyes were on the ground, fists balled at his sides. Takado shook his head.
He stepped closer to Kitty, pulling her into his arms with little protest.
"We shouldn't have done that." Kitty barely whispered. She took a step back from him.
"What?" Takado stuttered slightly.
"You're my best friend's brother, Takado." Kitty was barely able to speak through her tears.
"She just got you back. She's going to think I'm taking you away from her."
Takado's eyes were on the ground, fists balled at his sides. Takado shook his head.
He stepped closer to Kitty, pulling her into his arms with little protest.
"To hell with that." Kitty felt Takado's arms tighten around her.
"I've given up enough for her. It's my turn to be happy."
"Takado, what are you talking about?" Kitty didn't try to move. She reached her hands up, softly stroking his cheek.
"I gave up everything to raise and protect her." Takado rest his forehead against hers.
"I don't care what Carissa has to say about this. I want you, and if you want me then there is nothing in this world that will stop me."
"Takado, I don't think that-"
"Do you want me?"
"Takado that isn't-"
"Do you want me, Katherine?"
"Yes Takado, but-"
"Then I'm not letting you say no. I know for a damn fact you feel the same way about me that I do you." Takado pulled her by the waist, crushing his lips against hers.
"I've given up enough for her. It's my turn to be happy."
"Takado, what are you talking about?" Kitty didn't try to move. She reached her hands up, softly stroking his cheek.
"I gave up everything to raise and protect her." Takado rest his forehead against hers.
"I don't care what Carissa has to say about this. I want you, and if you want me then there is nothing in this world that will stop me."
"Takado, I don't think that-"
"Do you want me?"
"Takado that isn't-"
"Do you want me, Katherine?"
"Yes Takado, but-"
"Then I'm not letting you say no. I know for a damn fact you feel the same way about me that I do you." Takado pulled her by the waist, crushing his lips against hers.
Kitty squeaked, but didn't stop him.
A soft purr escaped her as Takado ran his hand down her back.
"Damnit Takado, we shouldn't be doing this." Kitty hissed as he pulled away, though she made no effort to distance herself.
"Shouldn't isn't no." Pulling her into another kiss.
"Takado stop!" Kitty shouted, pushing him off of her.
"I can't... Spikes would..."
"Why do you keep telling me to stop, when it's so obvious you want this as bad as I do?" Takado cupped her cheek in his hand.
“I can hear your heartbeat racing. I can feel you quiver with anticipation when I’m this close to you. I can see the way your eyes shine when you look at me. So tell me the real reason you’re trying to push me away Kitty-Kat.”
Kitty stared at him, utterly speechless as she gazed into his eyes.
Jade eyes that were begging her to give them a chance.
"I'm sorry Takado. I want-" Kitty paused sniffing the air.
"Takado did you turn the stove off?"
"What are you-" Takado groaned as the scent reached him.
"Crap."
He released her reluctantly and made his way back into the Kitchen. Kitty followed closely behind him, pausing in the archway.
Kitty stared at him, utterly speechless as she gazed into his eyes.
Jade eyes that were begging her to give them a chance.
"I'm sorry Takado. I want-" Kitty paused sniffing the air.
"Takado did you turn the stove off?"
"What are you-" Takado groaned as the scent reached him.
"Crap."
He released her reluctantly and made his way back into the Kitchen. Kitty followed closely behind him, pausing in the archway.
Kitty watched him, the longing she felt making her chest ache.
Her heart skipped a beat when he'd glance over his shoulder to her, a sad smile on his lips.
Kitty felt the sting of tears in her eyes once more.
"Kitty..." His voice was gentle, his warm hand resting against her arm.
"I never thought I'd say this but... Look I think there's something here, and I want to give us a chance. I want to be with you."
Kitty's throat was dry, she was at a loss for words again. Always at a loss for words with him. Always afraid to say the wrong thing.
"I understand if you don't want to be with me though" Takado scoffed his eyes on the ground.
"I was horrible to you before. My distaste of cats must be hard on you, and I was a monster in my past. I wouldn't want me either-"
"I want to be with you." Kitty squeaked. She grabbed his arms, shaking as she did.
"I'm just scared. I'm scared that this is temporary, that one day you'll decide you hate me as much as any other cat. I'm scared of losing Spikes.
Takado I'm terrified of everything that could go wrong because I have never felt this way about another person."
Her heart skipped a beat when he'd glance over his shoulder to her, a sad smile on his lips.
Kitty felt the sting of tears in her eyes once more.
"Kitty..." His voice was gentle, his warm hand resting against her arm.
"I never thought I'd say this but... Look I think there's something here, and I want to give us a chance. I want to be with you."
Kitty's throat was dry, she was at a loss for words again. Always at a loss for words with him. Always afraid to say the wrong thing.
"I understand if you don't want to be with me though" Takado scoffed his eyes on the ground.
"I was horrible to you before. My distaste of cats must be hard on you, and I was a monster in my past. I wouldn't want me either-"
"I want to be with you." Kitty squeaked. She grabbed his arms, shaking as she did.
"I'm just scared. I'm scared that this is temporary, that one day you'll decide you hate me as much as any other cat. I'm scared of losing Spikes.
Takado I'm terrified of everything that could go wrong because I have never felt this way about another person."
Takado's features softened. He pulled Kitty into his arms and began stroking her hair.
"I've never felt this way either." Takado admitted, catching Kitty by surprise.
"I can't promise you everything will be okay. It might not. We could end disastrously.""How is that supposed to make me feel better?" Kitty glared at him. He sighed, a light chuckle leaving his lips as he smiled at her.
"I'm not finished." He leaned over, kissing her forehead briefly.
"Or it could beautiful. We could fall in love, get married, and so much more. There's a lot that could go wrong, but I'll risk it for all the things that could go right."
"Takado..." Kitty whimpered, tears on the verge of falling from her eyes.
"I'm not a perfect person, I don't think I'm even a good person, but I promise that I will be my absolute best for you, Katherine."
Kitty inhaled sharply, wrapping her arms around his neck. Takado leaned over.
His eyes closed as he went to kiss her forehead. Kitty pushed herself onto her toes, meeting her lips to his.
His eyes shot open. Shock settling in before he grabbed her waist, leaning into her kiss.
"You should probably finish cooking before Spikes gets back." Kitty said softly, taking a step back from him.
"Probably." He grinned at her, lifting her into his arms and kissing her.
"But it can wait."
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