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Owen:: -naps beneath a bench-

Kiba: -slips under the bench, pawsteps wary, his body tense as he's afraid he'll wake the sleeping cat up-

Owen:: -the slender Chartreux mumbles in his sleep and rearranges himself in a more comfortable position- Mum, five more minutes.

Kiba: -blinks and sits down, reaching out a paw and poking at the snoozing gray cat- Five minutes are up -says softly, feeling a little teasing to the stranger- Mom says wake up.

Owen:: Aw, Mum! -Gives an objective grunt before fluttering open his eyes and staring at the stranger with wide eyes- Woah! -immediately sits up- Um, Evening. I'm assuming that you caught me speaking in my sleep, am I right? -feels embarrassed but gives a chuckle anyways. It's never bad to laugh at yourself.-

Kiba: -covers his mouth with a small giggle, nervously looking at the other tom- You called me Mom -he admits sheepishly, then outstretches said hand- I...I'm Kiba. You were sleeping pretty deeply there...

Owen:: Did I now? Well, I'm sorry about that. -smirks at the young ones giggling and takes his hand confidently- The names Owen. -neglects his actual name quite smoothly- I guess I got a bit sleepy from walking around all day.

Kiba: Owen... -repeats, smiling a little, but is still deciding whether or not he's safe here or not- And you just fall asleep under benches often? Aren't you worried about someone coming to get you? Where's your Master?

Owen:: -gives a nod to approve of the repeat- Yep, that's it. -looks around wondering to himself why he should worry about his safety- Uh... I sleep wherever. Whenever I feel tire I find a place where I'm not in anybody's way. Why would somebody be after me? -is a bit puzzled by this kitten's paranoia- My Master? Oh, well... I don't have one. Not anymore, at least. I just keep this silly thing on because it makes people think you're tame. Humans would rather pet a domestic cat rather than a feral, anyday. Know what I'm saying? -tries to keep his British accent to a minimum-

Kiba: -frowns a little. He would be afraid of sleeping out in the open, for fear of being grabbed or pounced on. His ears tilt upwards a little at the word 'Master'- Mine let me out...but he never let me back in... -says this softly, uncertainly- The sidewalks are so busy, I just kinda ran. Now I can't find my way back. -looks at his feet-

Owen:: -frowns at the tragic tone poor Kiba is using- Oh.... um.... Well, perhaps he just forgot. How long have you been outside on your own, Kiba? -figures it was just for today and that it shouldn't be anything to dramatic.-

Kiba: -scuffs his shoe along the sidewalk, looking nervous all of a sudden- Um. He wouldn't forget me... Right? -panic laced his gaze- I don't think he would. -quiets for a moment- A few days. I mean, at least three nights. They're cold and lonely... I miss my bed... -touches his collar again-

Owen:: Dang! Three whole nights? Kiba, kid... I'm sorry to hear that... -doesn't want to crush this poor guys hope so he leaves it at that.- Hey, maybe you could hang around me. I know I can't keep the nights from getting cold but at least they wont be lonely. -runs his fingers over his own collar and absentmindedly- What do you say?

Kiba: -flushes a little, running his hands through dark hair, but perks up at Owen's words. Stay with him? He shivers a little, actually liking the attention, even if he didn't trust the Chartreux...yet- O-Okay! -agrees, tail flicking back and forth. Smiles- I'd like that... But only til my Master comes looking for me. Okay? ^^

Owen:: Sure thing, kid. Sure thing. -loosens the bright tie around his neck a bit awkwardly- So tell me about yourself, Kiba. What's your story?

Kiba: -takes a small breath- I live with a man named Jake. He's an older guy, has a few health problems. I take care of him... We watch tv together at night... -voice softens- I just dont' believe he'd forget me... I don't know. I worry about him on his own. What if he can't fall asleep? -whines and tail flicks back and forth nervously-

Owen:: Hey, now... don't be so pessimistic. -flicks his tail back and forth whilst thinking- I'm sure he misses you, but let's not get all paranoid, alright?

Kiba: -smiles tightly because the other cat had a point- I suppose so... It just...worries me, okay? -was about to say something else, but he was cut off by the growling of his stomach. Touches it with a giggle- Whoops.

Owen:: -grins at the thick kitten- That's understandable, I suppose. But don't go worrying your life away, alright? -the conversation was interrupted by Kiba's growling stomach.- Heh, you're apologizing for being hungry? You really are a peculiar cat, you know? -stands up and slips out from beneath the bench- When was the last time you ate, kid?

Kiba: -smiles sheepishly at the older tom, tail flicking to curl around his waist for a moment- Ummm... -lip to his finger, he ponders it- I scrounged in the garbage earlier...didn't find very much. I scared a mouse, but I couldn't catch it. -rubs his belly which gives another growl- Hehe.

Owen:: -looks very sympathetic towards the young Exotic boy- I uh... I think I might be able to help. Follow me. -trots down the sidewalk, looking over his shoulder to check if Kiba was following-

Kiba: T-Thank you! -admits softly, following him at the quick pace- Where are we going? -head tilts to the side, ears flicking forwards, focused on the gray cat-

Owen:: We're going to a feast! -is glad to see the male following him so quickly. He must either be really trustworthy or really hungry. Maybe even both.- So, tell me something I should know about you, Kiba, kid. -trying to make conversation while they walk to their destination-

Kiba: -at his side, needing to make twice as many steps to catch up with the Chartruex- I dunno. I've never been outside before, if that helps? -frowns, thinking- I don't like baths. -adds this quietly- At all.

Owen:: -gives a soft laugh at the boy's final confession- Oh ya? I don't think any of us do. Well, there are always exceptions for that weird people, but for the most part. -notices his quicker pace- You're kind of a little dude, aren't ya? -is amused by this but looks forward again, noticing they were close.- Ah Hah! We're here. -ducks into an alley with large dumpsters and a few cardboard boxes- Now we're sure to find a decent meal here. -glances at the young cat and grins- I'm guessing you've never caught a mouse before, then.

Kiba: -blinks up at the tom, confused by the term 'little dude'. Sure, he was definitely younger and not as streetwise, but little? He puffs up a tad, looking at Owen with a scowl, but it's relaced by a surprised grin as they reach the so-called feast. His stomach rumbles again and he carefully begins digging through, the scent of food enticing him on. He glances up, shaking his head a little- No... Could you teach me how? -ear twitches-

Owen:: -notices the aggravated look on his young friend.- Relax, don't take it personally, Kiba. It wasn't meant as an insult. -watches the youngster dig in- Hah, well you're never going to catch a mouse or rat with the kind of noise you're making. You've gotta be sly, smooth, not to mention patient. Shhh, lets be quiet and see what comes along. -waits a few minutes in silence with Kiba before a fat little rat comes scurrying along.- Here we go... -crouches down and waits for the perfect moment before springing off and chasing the startled rodent until he catches it by the tail and quickly kills his meal.- There, it just takes practice, see? -brings the rat back to Kiba and sets it down.- I think you need this more than I do.

Kiba: -opens his mouth to say something -- probably defend his 'smallness' -- when Owen spoke again. He freezes, middig, staring at the older tom with a small smile on his face, staying silent. As Owen sprang, he jumped, surprised by the swiftness of it all and the rat was offered to him- Oh my... That was...amazing! -he gives a squeak and gobbles the meal down, all politeness gone until after he was done. Then he blushes- Thanks, Owen!

Owen:: -happy watches Kiba gobble down his meal in a heart beat- Man, you were hungry. Well, I'm certainly glad that I helped. Care for another? I think you should give it a try this time. All you have to do is crouch down like so... -gets in his position- and right when they least expect it release all that energy and just go crazy! -laughs at his charged jump and looks back at Kiba to see if he understands- It's great here because there's so many rats, they pass by every few minutes. Great practice.

Kiba: -grins up at the gray tom- I was... -admits a little sheepishly- Thanks... I-Yeah! I could try... -follows Owen's suggestion; crouches down and freezes, freeing his claws from his paws and waits until a particularly plump looking rat decides to scuttle by to jump! He leaps, lands on the tail, and bites down on the neck. It gives a squeak and falls silent and he snaps around to look at Owen, beaming from ear to ear- I did it! -a little shocked-

Owen:: You sure did! Congratz, Kiba! You've got good instincts. -trots up to the kid, feeling rather proud for the fact he taught him how to hunt- I knew you'd get a handle on things.

Kiba: -eats this rat slower, savoring the flavor, but it had nothing on salmon canned food- Thanks -he murmurs, rocking back to continue to dig through the trash. Finds a half-full box of chinese noodles and eats them, then relaxes- Aren't you hungry, Owen?

Owen:: -raises an eyebrow at the cat and laughs lightly- Oh no. I've eaten to much already today. Maybe later on I'll get desert but for now, I'm okay. Thanks for thinkin' about me though. It was very kind of you. -yawns loudly- God, am I really that tied again? I mustn't have gotten as good of a nap as I thought. Mind if I get going, Kiba?

Kiba: -listens with pricked ears, sitting back and washing a paw for good measure, but he freezes as the male says he's going to leave- Y-You can't leave! -he whines out, looking shellshocked- Where am I...supposed to
go? Could you take me back home first? -wiggles a little, tail flicking-

Owen:: Woah there, fella. If you don't feel comfortable being by yourself then all you had to do was say so. I wont leave if you don't feel safe. -paws over to him and grins softly- Here, follow me. -sharply turns around and begins to trail off down the alley to a nice little cardboard box. It might not look like much to a house cat like yourself, but it sure does get cozy in there if you huddle up. -crawls inside and curls into a ball.- Care to join me?

Kiba: -feels a rush of relief wash away the clawing of panic in his chest- T-Thank you -he murmurs, following the older male down the alley, leaving the pile of food behind for others to find and enjoy. He is happy now, his belly full and content and now her was growing a little sleepy. He eyes the box, comparing it to the bed he had back home, and he smiles and carefully curls up next to the Chartreux- Thank you... -this was spoken softly as he dropped his head to his paws and closed his eyes. Sleep took him over surprisingly fast-

{FIN}