“Why are you here, Katherine?” His voice was bitter, but it was to be expected. She hadn’t bothered to visit him at all since he was hospitalized.
“I wanted… I don’t know what I wanted.” Kitty whispered, taking a seat in a seat near the hospital bed.
Guilt. Overwhelming Guilt hit her as David refused to look at her.
She should have come to see him sooner.
Shouldn’t have dragged Sabbith to the hospital without Takado’s knowledge.
Yet here she was.
“David, I’m sorry.” Kitty whimpered, eyes falling to the floor.
“I know covering the hospital bills doesn’t help. I know nothing I do or say helps, but I’m sorry.”
“I should give up on you, you know?” David finally turned to face her.
“Then why don’t you. I never deserved your loyalty David. Not once.” Kitty glanced down at him.
“There’s no reason for you to stay.”
“Reason and love are sworn enemies, Kat.” He scoffed, watching her flinch at her old nickname, but allowing it.
“Does it still hurt?” It was stupid, she knew. Of course he was in pain, bandaged and unable to leave the hospital.
Yet he refused to go home, refused to let his parents see him and ask questions.
“It comes and goes.” His eyes fixed on the ceiling above him.
“I thought… I thought I was going to die that night. I really thought he’d end me, but do you know the worst part Kat?”
Kitty shook her head, holding back the tears that threatened to fall.
“Nothing he did to me. Not breaking my limbs, not the concussion, not the broken rib stabbing into me. No.” David sighed.
It was weak.
The sigh of a man who had given up.
“What hurt most was looking up at you, and seeing you smile as it happened.”
Kitty’s eyes widened, standing from her seat.
"No… No I didn’t… Did I really?” Her voice filled with disbelief.
"I’m… I’m a monster.”
“You could have convinced me otherwise. Because all this time Kat. All this time that you have ignored me. All this time that you payed my medical expenses. All this time you’ve sent me flowers once a week.
All due to your guilt, and I have wanted nothing more desperately than to apologize to you for what I said.”
“I deserved it.”
“No.” David looked at her eyes, struggling to sit up slightly.
“You… You didn’t deserve that. I was mad at him, but I attacked you.”
Kitty sat back down, moving the seat closer to his bedside, gently placing her hand on his.
“You have to move on after this David. I can’t watch you do this to yourself.”
“How? Please. Give me a fucking instruction manual because I’ll do it.” David pleaded, tears forming in his eyes.
“I would like nothing more than to move on, but you’re the only damn thing I see when I close my eyes Kat. Only you.”
“David, stop… Please.”
“I almost wish he’d finished the job. Maybe that would be easier.”
“Don’t you dare say that.” Kitty hissed, her sapphire eyes beginning to glow.
“Don’t you fucking say that David. Nothing is worth your life.”
“Were you even mad at him for hurting me?” David’s eyes were glued on hers, refusing to look away.
“You act like I mean so much now, but did you honestly care at all?”
“Not at first.” Kitty admitted, unable to meet his eyes.
“I was just so angry at you. I was so hurt and I couldn’t see past that at first, and then Takado and I broke up for a little while-”
“Great, so I missed my chance.” David smiled at her before rolling his eyes.
“I’ll just be here. Your forgotten toy now that you’ve gotten a puppy.”
“Don’t be like that David.” Kitty growled under her breath.
“We wouldn’t have worked out with or without him around.”
“You wouldn’t even give me a chance.” He whispered, his eyes growing dim and unfocused.
“No I wouldn’t. I don’t love you David.” Kitty inhaled.
She bit her lip, playing with them hem of her shirt.
“You love him though, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Kitty looked up, meeting his eyes.
“I won’t apologize for it David. I don’t want you to hurt, but I refuse to apologize for my happiness.”
“I don’t want you to.” David smiled gently.
“I just wish to god I was him.”
Kitty stood up, stepping closer to him, running a hand through his hair.
“I have to go now, David.”
“Thanks… It was nice to finally see you, Kitty.” He smiled, but his eyes were pained.
Kitty looked away, unable to bear the guilt.
“Get better soon, okay? Your bills are getting to be expensive.” Kitty winked at him.
She hesitated for a moment before she walked towards the door.
“Good.” He scoffed.
“Hey, Since I’m not likely to see you in a week. Happy Birthday Katherine. Stop stressing so much.”
Kitty turned around to speak, but was promptly cut off by David shaking his head.
“I know you. Something happened. Why else would you be here?”
“Ashlee is in town. I… I didn’t know who else to turn to. No one else understands.”
“I know.” David sighed glancing back at her.
“Tell your mutt to keep you safe. I’ll never forgive him if he lets anything happen to you.”
“Thank you.” Kitty whispered before stepping out the door.
“Always.” David whispered, closing his eyes and allowing his tears to fall.
“Always.”
…
“Takado they’re so cute.” Kitty squealed with delight, adjusting the wire cat ears sitting atop her head.
“I thought you’d like them.” Takado chuckled, kissing her cheek before walking into the kitchen of their small apartment.
“This is so much better than a birthday tiara.” Kitty giggled, bounding after him.
“Are you still making the cake?”
“No. I’m making a bomb.” Takado responded, shoving the cake back into the oven.
“What do you think?”
“You don’t have to be mean about it.” Kitty stuck her tongue out him.
Takado rolled his eyes. He stepped toward her, hand against her back as he pulled her into a kiss.
"Go answer the door, Brat.”
“What? But no one has knock-” Kitty paused at the sound of someone tapping on the door. “How do you do that?”
Takado pointed to his nose and laughed as Kitty ran to the door.
“Those ears are so cute, Kitty.”
“Aren’t they though? Takado got them for me. I love them so much.”
Takado could hear Sabbith and Kitty squeal as they walked down the hallway.
“Hey Tako!” Sabbith called from the living room as she sat down with Kitty.
“Hey Sabbith.” Takado smiled. “You haven’t seen Carissa have you? She was supposed to be here already.”
Sabbith shook her head before returning to her conversation.
Takado frowned, concern creeping it’s way into his mind. He pushed it aside and focused on getting the house ready for Kitty's small birthday celebration.
Within minutes Vincent, Gabriel, and Nadine followed by Blade arrived.
Takado sighed with relief when his sister finally arrived.
“Happy Birthday Kitty.”Spikes smiled hesitantly.
Kitty frowned, something was wrong. That much was clear. However Spikes had been so distant that Kitty didn’t know if she should approach her.
Spikes’s decision to stay alone for the time being only made that worse.
“Hey, ow!” Spikes barked with surprise as Takado placed a headband on her head.
Kitty clapped and giggled as Spikes glanced in the mirror at the spiked headband now on her head.
“It might be Kitty’s birthday, but it was too funny to resist.” Takado laughed.
“I have kitty ears and you have spikes.” Kitty cheered, linking arms with Spikes.
She would force a smile, make it through today.
Spikes smiled weakly, but she let Kitty drag her around the small apartment briefly.
She quickly retreated to standing near Blade once Kitty released her.
“So how has it been adjusting to the new apartment?” Nadine asked, taking as seat beside the excitable cat.
“It’s actually not as bad as I thought.” Kitty explained, a small smile on her face.
“It’s difficult to get used to not having Spikes down the hall though.”
Nadine smiled gently, placing a hand over Kitty’s.
“I’m sure everything will go back to normal once the problem with your mother is resolved."
Kitty glanced up at Spikes, still standing beside Blade, not interacting much with anyone.
“I’m not so sure about that.” She whispered.
She kept her eyes on Spikes, on her best friend who had hardly spoken a word since arriving.
“I need a minute.” Kitty spoke under her breath before retreating to the bedroom.
She leaned against the wall, sliding down to the floor.
Her heart was racing, gasping for air, head in her hands as she forced back tears.
Kitty backed herself in to the corner of the room, struggling for air, struggling to calm herself.
“Again?” His concerned voice broke through her fog.
Kitty glanced up at Takado, lips quivering.
“I… I’m sorry” She struggled to get the words out, retreating back into her corner.
Takado closed the bedroom door and sat beside her.
“You don’t have anything to apologize for Kitty.” He smiled at her, kissing her forehead.
“I can send everyone home if it’s too much for you to handle right now.”
“No. No I just needed a minute.” Kitty inhaled deeply.
She leaned against Takado’s arm, focused on her breathing.
Takado pulled her into his lap, running his hand through her hair.
Kitty kissed his cheek before closing her eyes and allowing herself to calm down.
Takado waited patiently as her heart rate slowed, and breathing evened.
“Want to try again?” Takado asked, resting his hand on her cheek.
Kitty bit her lip, glancing at the door before shifting her gaze back to Takado.
She nodded briefly before standing up.
Takado stood with her, briefly wrapping an arm around her waist, meeting his lips to hers.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” Kitty grinned at him, before exiting the room.
“Kitty!” Sabbith cheered, pulling the feline into a hug.
“I was wondering where you’d gone.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I, uh-”
“I needed her to myself for a moment.” Takado winked, kissing her cheek before walking into the kitchen, followed by Kitty’s glare.
Sabbith chuckled, linking arms with Kitty as she fell back on the couch.
“Are you okay?” She whispered.
Kitty nodded briefly, eyes scanning the room for Spikes. Kitty frowned when she found Spikes beside Blade.
“I’m fine now. I was just starting to panic a bit earlier.” Kitty explained. She kept her voice down and eyes on Spikes.
The canine had not seemed to notice her absence.
Sabbith hugged Kitty, resting her head on Kitty’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry none of us have heard anything Kitty. We’ll find her though. Trust your friends.”
Kitty tore her eyes away from Spikes, and leaned into Sabbith’s embrace.
Kitty nodded. Sabbith was right. She should trust her friends.
She briefly cast a glance at Spikes on more time.
She just wasn’t sure of who she considered a friend anymore.
…
“She told me that you were in town.” David sighed, turning to face the shadow standing in his doorway.
“I’m surprised you actually came here though.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’ve been practically family to me for years.” Ashlee smirked as she stepped into the room.
“I’ve seen what you do to family. I don’t want that from you.” David spat at her.
“Yes you do. You’d kill to be my son-in-law, and you know it.” David flinched, looking away from her.
“That’s not what she wants from me.” David swallowed hard.
He closed his eyes as if it would help block out her voice.
“But you do. You’ve been faithful for so long to her. Don’t you think she owes you for that?” Ashlee brushed her fingertips across his forehead.
“No.” David met Ashlee’s eyes, her eyes.
“She doesn’t owe me a damn thing. My choice to love her, doesn’t mean she owes me anything.
I see that now.”
“How noble the small child has become.” Ashlee laughed. “It’s a shame, almost, that I’m only going to make her hate you more.”
“What?”
Ashlee grabbed his shoulders pushing him down onto the bed, grinning as she kept her eyes on his.
“I need to see my daugher, and you’re going to help me.” Ashlee commented as her eyes began to glow.
“Whether you like it or not.”
…
“What about this one?” Kitty pointed to another house on the laptop’s screen.
“Seriously? It’s a cottage.” Sabbith shook her head.
“All of those cute plants would be dead within a month.”
“I could hire a gardener!” Kitty stuck her tongue out at Sabbith.
“Why are you even looking at houses right now, Kitty?” Takado asked.
He dropped onto the couch beside her, kissing her cheek before shifting his attention to the computer screen.
“It’s always good to plan ahead, Tako.” Kitty responded as she continued to scroll through the images.
“Okay, so why does Sabbith get a say?” Takado asked, receiving a glare from the kitsune.
“No offense.”
“Because I’m moving into the new place with you guys, Moron.” Sabbith declared, sticking her tongue out at him.
“Really? We’re getting another roommate?” Takado chuckled, leaning back against the couch.
“She’s better company than you.” Jinx hissed from her seat on Sabbith’s lap.
Takado leaned over, lightly flicking the cat’s nose.
“You’re only proving her point Tako!” Kitty scolded him, slapping his arm.
“What about that one?” Sabbith pointed at the screen excitedly.
“I like it, if my opinion counts for anything.” Takado nodded in agreement with Sabbith.
“It’s perfect! I’ll email it to Spikes. If she likes it, then we’re looking at our future home guys!” Kitty cheered.
“Really? You’re not even going to check the price?” Sabbith asked, raising an eyebrow at the cat.
“Why? It’s not as if I can’t afford it.” Kitty tilted her head in confusion.
“I’ve been in bigger places.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen pictures of her old place.” Takado commented.
“This really is nothing.”
Sabbith shrugged and began to stroke Jinx.
“Either way this is pretty exciting.”
“Yeah it is.” Kitty grinned, leaning against Takado.
“I’m sure Carissa is looking forward to all of us being together again. This distance has been weird.” Takado sighed.
He glanced out the window, a frown firmly set on his face.
Kitty set her hand over his, smiling up at him.
He smiled weakly back at her, leaning down and gently pressing his lips to hers.
Kitty jumped slightly, her phone’s buzz startling her. She stood from the couch, grabbing it off of the coffee table and walking to the window before answering it.
“Hello?”
“Do you remember, the spot where I first found in in this town?” his voice was hoarse, pained even.
“David? Yeah I do… Why?” Kitty asked, glancing up at Takado.
“I need you to be there in an hour.” David responded.
“What? Why? David you can’t even leave the hospital, why would-”
“Can you just do this one thing for me, Kat? Your fucking boyfriend almost murdered me and you can’t be bothered to go somewhere for me?” Kitty flinched, holding the phone slightly away from herself.
“Just hang up, Kitty.” Takado suggested, walking to her side.
“You don’t have to deal with him. Just hang up.”
“David, I don’t… I don’t think I should right now.” Kitty’s lips quivered as she spoke, her heart raced.
“If you don’t…” He hesitated. Almost as if he didn’t want to continue.
“I’ll kill myself if you’re not there, Katherine.”
“No. David, no you can’t- Don’t be stupid, David!” Kitty cried out, even as the line went dead.
“Kitty, what’s wrong?” Takado chased after her as she darted into the bedroom.
“I have to go. I’ll be home later. I just… I have to go.” Kitty’s eyes were filled with tears as she scrambled through the room trying to find her car keys.
Takado grabbed her arm as she tried to walk past him.
“No.”
“What?” Kitty tried to shake her arm free of his grip.
“You’re my boyfriend not my owner! You don’t tell me what to do.”
Takado hesitated, releasing his grip on her arm.
She glared at him as she grabbed her jacket and walked past him.
“At least let me come with you, Kitty. This doesn’t feel right.” Takado pleaded with her.
She stood motionless, with her hand on the doorknob.
“Kitty… Takado is right. Whatever is happening, I don’t think you should be alone.” Sabbith added in, standing from her seat on the couch.
“Fine.” Kitty relented as she stepped out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
“Go. I’m going to text Spikes and then I’ll catch up okay?” Sabbith glanced at Takado before turning to put her shoes on.
“This isn’t right… She shouldn’t go.” Takado growled.
His fists were clenched at his sides, nearly drawing blood.
“You can’t stop her Takado.” Sabbith responded, gently resting a hand on his shoulder.
“But you can be damn sure we’ll protect her okay?”
Takado glanced down at Sabbith, nodding briefly before running out the door after his cat.
Sabbith frowned as she pulled out her phone.
She quickly sent the text to Spikes and shoved the phone back in her pocket as she locked up the apartment.
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