Nine Lives

Akimiya Jun
Disclaimer: This is not my own. I got this from a picture. I will change it a tad to fit the story.

"A cat has nine lives.
For three she plays,
For three she strays
And for the last three, she stays."

"First, I was a tiger.
Freely roaming the prairie.
Then I was a leopard.
Living high in the Alps.
During my third life, I was a lion.
Subject to my trainer's whip."

*Crack*
I jumped through the flaming hoop.

"My fourth life ended before it began.
Our cries drowned along with our bodies.
My fifth life also ended prematurely.
Underneath a truck during a bitter winter."

*Bang*
*Thump*
There was no pain. The cold disappeared. And I was enveloped by a welcoming warmth.

"My sixth life was spent in an alley.
And then suddenly I was a creature of beauty.
A possession to be groomed.
A prize on display."

"Congratulations on winning first place."
"Thank you."

"I was not so lucky in my eighth life, however.
I found myself in a dark room
Amongst others deemed unwanted."

I sat in a cage. My body curled together waiting for something. Anything.

"Oh." I looked up at the voice. A man with bright red almost pink hair smiled at me. His eyes the brightest green as if they were emeralds themselves.

"You sure are cute aren't you?" He took me to his home.

"Welcome to your new home." He set me down.

"I was hostile at first."

He knelt next to me reaching out a hand to touch me.
*Hiss*

"Since I couldn't have known your intentions.
But gradually, I came to tolerate you."

My owner sat on the couch reading. He didn't even acknowledge me. I jumped onto his lap, curling up on his legs. He was surprised, I could feel it but soon he began to pet me.

"And I began to understand..."

I slept on his head at night.

"Thank you.
You who taught me the meaning of 'home'."

I stepped onto his book in order to get some attention.

"You who never asked for anything in return."

I slept in his arms as he slowly stroked my back.

"I can only thank you."

"In my final moments.
As the last of my strength left my body.
And I closed my eyes in your arms.
I made a wish."

"That I could be by your side once again...
That is...
If you will allow it.
I will give my last life to you as well."

"Oh look daddy." I looked at the little girl whose eyes and hair matched her father's.

"A kitty."

Thank you, Shuichi Minamino for everything.

The End