House Cat

⇠From Rags to Riches ⇢

Jet has lost count of the number of times he has seen the same bars in his life or the number of times he's returned because a customer would claim he was too 'wild.' Jax curled himself up in the back of the cage, tail wrapped around him protectively. His black ears twitched at the sound of the bell above the door ringing softly. Lifting his head, he turned it towards the door, noticing a tall male dressed in black silk walking in. White hair pulled into a messy but tight bun, with steel-grey eyes to match. A small pink scar disappearing into his eye faded from time and age. Rolling his eyes, he huffed returning his head to between his arms.

"Welcome, your majesty! What do I owe the pleasure to your visit!" The clerk chirped loudly.

"I want a Neko." He answered shortly after, his eyes scanning the cages laid in front of him.

"We've got a wide assortment of Neko's sire, what kind of cat are you looking for?" The clerk questioned, walking around the counter. The man didn't answer him at first, he walked further into the pet shop, slowly walking down the row of cages until he paused in front of Jax's. Clicking his tongue softly. Lifting my head once more, I laid my eyes against my head positioning myself to face away from the stranger.

"How much for this one?" He questioned, smirking widely.

The worker opened his mouth to speak, his eyes following the other's gaze. "Oh no sir, you do not want this Neko." He said waving his hands in front of him.

"Oh? And why is that?" The gentleman challenged arching his brow.

"He's bitten everyone who's ever tried to buy him." He stated nervously.

Scoffing, the male shook his head. "You cannot blame the pet for being defensive, he just needs to be trained properly with the right master." He answered while pulling a small square treat from his suit pocket. Placing it in the palm of his hand then laid his hand flat.

Jet rolled his eyes once again, he might as well humor the human. Slowly turning around, he peeled himself from the wall. Inching closer to the bars of the cage, sniffing the treat. Honestly, the treat smelt like honey and ham, which made Jet's mouth water. He could not remember the last time he had a proper treatment that was not table scraps. But Jax wouldn't give the human man the satisfaction of taming him so easily, scrunching his nose up, he swiped the treat from the male's hand. The square treat clattered to the floor softly, as Jax stalked to the back of the cage once more. His long tail wrapped against his small frame, as he laid back down.

"You don't like that flavor? I have assorted flavors at home you can try if you wish." The gentleman offered, unlocking the cage slowly.

"We have tried everything sire, he won't speak or behave for any royal. He's the only Neko I haven't been able to sell." The manager stammered watching him.

"He just needs a proper home, once he is shown some love, I bet he'll be a love bug." The older male insisted.

"Well, if you are sure, you can manage the task, how does two-fifty sound?" The shop clerk questioned.

"I'll play whatever for him," he said, pulling a small bundle of cash from his pocket and then handing it to him.

Once the clerk was gone, the stranger opened the cage door slowly. Waiting for Jax to turn around, before reaching into the small compartment. Jet and the other man locked eyes for a long couple of seconds before he glared at the other's hands. Jet emitted a low growl, swiping at the other's hand, hissing the man drew back his hand for an instant watching blood slowly trickle from the small scratch and form a puddle of blood. Before pulling the small Neko from the cage, inspecting the cat's size before holding him close.

"You are a tiny thing, aren't you? Well don't worry about that, I'm sure that will change once you warm up to your new home. Let's go home little one." He whispered, running a hand down Jax's back. Which was a strange but oddly comforting gesture that Jet wasn't opposed to, he just wouldn't admit it to the human.

Exiting the shop, Jet squeezed his eyes closed as the sun beamed into his face, blinking the black dots that danced across his vision, he found himself being gently set into the passenger seat, another gesture Jax was all too familiar with. He had a chance to book it out of the car and down the street, but Jax was unsure where'd he go next.

Being homeless was second nature to the Neko, that was where he spent most of his life until he was picked up by his first master, a little nine-year-old girl who begged their parents to keep him. Until they found the girl's responsibilities were passed to them. Jax still was not sure why he was sent to the shop at first, he suspected it was because the girl lost interest, which made him want to know why she lost interest in the first place. Was Jax not fun? Or did he do something to upset the young female to make her get rid of him?

Whatever the reason was, Jet had a new problem he had a new master to please. It had been so long since Jax had a master he had forgotten what he was supposed to do, he's learned to just hiss and swipe at whatever was coming toward him honestly. Nervously scanning his surroundings, He slowly uncurled himself peaking his head out the window. Watching the male, stuff supplies into the back of his vehicle before climbing in himself, "Alright! Time to head home now little one." He chirped, then finally began driving.