A New Home (ChampionRed007)

[Nicholi]

Jaohan's ears twitched when the yarn was finally taken off of him. Only to watch the ball of yarn being rolled towards him. But before he could bat at the ball, the box was placed ontop of him. Lowering his ears a bit, he tilted his head. His tail twitching behind him and his gaze darted around in the dark box.

 

He scratched at the side of the box before hearing Zachaeus, he jumped causing the box to move just a bit. He then attacked the fingers that were moving around the box. Making sure not to use his claws because he knew he could really hurt someone and not mean to. It was only a few minutes before the box was taken off of him.

 

He raised a brow as he watched the items being placed back into the box. His gaze then followed after the ball that was tossed towards the scratching post and nook. He darted after the ball of yarn, only to slide across the floor. Crashing into the two items with a startled mewl leaving him.

[ChampionRed007]

Zachaeus watched the neko and smiled, going over to him and bending down to pet his head. He reached and gently put the boy's hands on the scratching post. "This is the only place to use your claws, okay? Not on the furniture." He stood and gazed down at Jaohan.

 

"You probably won't like it much, but you do need a bath. It's probably been a while since you've had one." He left the boy to himself for a little while to start a warm bath in the tub. The man hummed as he mixed soap in with the bath and got towels and clean clothes. Zachaeus placed little toy fish all in the bath to attract the neko and give him something to play with while the man washed him.

 

"Jaohan?" He called, bath ready as he stepped into the main room of the house again. The man removed his robe and hung it up to reveal his chest again so he wouldn't get his clothes wet. "Are you ready for your bath? It won't be terrible, I promise. I put fish in there, why don't you go see?"

[Nicholi]

Jaohan raised his gaze when he was shown that he was only to use the scratching post on his claws. He nodded after he was told so. "Yes, Master... I understand." he said softly. It wasnt like he was going to use them on the furniture anyways. But he wasnt going to say that, Zachaeus has done nothing to him for him to talk back to the man in such a way.

 

His ears perked up when he heard about a bath only to have them flatten against the back of his head. That was the one thing he hated the most. Being forced down into a tub, almost drowning in the process. Plus the cold water wasnt the best thing for a neko. A soft hiss escaped him when he watched at Zachaeus walked off to prepare the bath.

 

A loud groan left his lips, he debated on hiding himself away. Somewhere so he wouldnt be found for this dreaded bath that Zachaeus wanted him to take. His tail wrapped tightly around him as his gaze darted around for some sort of hiding place. But he took to long on deciding when he heard the man return.

 

His ears lowered as he stared at the man with a soft whimper. He really didnt want to take a bath, and it was clear that even little toy fish was not going to make it any better.

[ChampionRed007]

"I made sure the water wasn't too hot or cold and I would be glad to sit with-" Zachaeus started but was interrupted by the sudden hiss. "Jaohan." He raised his voice a bit, lightly scolding him. "I've never done anything to hurt you and it will stay that way. You might have had baths at that place, but this is completely different."

 

The discouraged man picked up the boy and held him in his arms. "Does that look so threatening to you?" He asked softly, showing the neko the bath with the little fish floating in it. Zachaeus patted Jaohan's back, holding him like a child afraid of something. "I'll be right here with you and you can take your time."

 

He set the boy down beside the bath and watched him. The room smelled wonderful and was very peaceful. Probably much unlike the hectic, terrifying baths Jaohan was used to. "I can take a bath with you if it would help." Zachaeus knelt at the tub and ran a washcloth through the water that he would bathe the neko with.

[Nicholi]

Jaohan had stepped back at the tone that was used on him after he had hissed in displeasure at the thought of a bath. His ears flattening against the back of his head before he was picked up off the floor. His gaze lowered to the bath when he was shown it. Only to burrow his face into the man's chest. It wasnt just the fact that he had bad experiences with bath's in the past.

 

It was the fact that he was part cat. He didnt like it when his fur was wet and weighed down. "Dont wanna..." He murmured. Most would be reminded of a child beginning to throw some tantrum over something they didnt want to do. His tail wrapped around his waist tightly.

 

But it was when he was set down beside the tub that he let a groan leave his lips. But he heard what Zachaeus said. His ears lowered against the back of his head and turned his gaze away from the man. He still didnt want in that water at all, but it seemed that Zachaeus wasnt going to let up on him. He pouted, curling up on his spot. It seemed that Zachaeus was going to have to put the kitten in the tub himself, because the boy was set on not getting a bath.

[ChampionRed007]

Zachaeus sighed as he saw the boy wasn't going to budge from the floor. "If you don't want to get your fur wet, then we'll just keep your ears and tail dry. But the rest of you has to be cleaned." The man wasn't angry, just being stern with the boy and not letting himself give into the neko.

 

He proceeded to pick Jaohan up and carefully set him down in the nice, warm water. Zachaeus made sure that the boy's tail was sticking out of the bath to stay dry. "It can't be that bad." He cooed, gently washing the neko with the soft cloth. The man began softly scrubbing away the dirt and smell of the auction house, it also had to feel pleasant to be massaged.

 

One of the toy fish floated over to Jaohan and bumped against him before it sank slightly in the water. Zachaeus had a firm but gentle hand on the neko's shoulder, but didn't hold him down. His hand was just there to remind the boy to give it a try and that he wasn't going to hurt him. He lifted up the cloth to gently wash Jaohan's cheeks.

[Nicholi]

Jaohan clung to Zachaeus as he was picked up off the floor, only to be set down in the water. Hissing softly as he felt the water against his skin. He shivered at the unwanted feeling. His ears flattened against the back of his head as he stared at the man. This man had no idea what it was like to be forced into something they didnt want to be in.

 

His tail twitched irritably until he felt something bump into him. His gaze darted towards the toy that had touched him. Damn his cat nature, it was to tempting to him. It had only taken a moment before he was chasing after the toy around the tub. Splashing water in the process. Undoubtedly getting Zachaeus wet in the process.

 

Jaohan had ducked out of the way of the cloth that meant to clean his cheeks. Only to continue to race around the tub after the toy's. In the process, getting every inch of himself wet. It was when he slipped on one of the toy's and fell into the tub even more. A soft startled growl left his lips as he darted out of the tub. His breathing labored and his eyes wide as he was backed up against a wall, his body dripping from the unwanted bath.

[ChampionRed007]

Zachaeus struggled to wash the boy, but was only splashed with water. He didn't mind so much that he got wet, as long as the neko got bathed. The man reared back when he heard the growl and saw Jaohan dart from the tub. He didn't want to get scratched or bitten. The soaked man tossed the cloth down and stood, staring down at the neko in the corner.

 

"Jaohan! Bad boy!" He raised his voice again and shook a finger at Jaohan as a warning. "You've gotten your master soaked and the entire room too. Do you understand?" Zachaeus was clearly upset, it was in his nature to handle situations that way. He knew he had to hold some kind of authority in his house or it would be destroyed.

 

"I'm a nice person, but I won't let you get your way all the time, boy. You will dry this room, do you understand?" The man huffed angrily. He wasn't mad at the boy as much as the situation. "Bad kittens do not get milk with dinner and they do not get to play. Until you learn, there will be no milk saucers or toys, and I will start giving you chores to occupy all your energy."

 

"You need some time to yourself to understand I will not hurt you, and that you do not live the bad life you once did since I can't ever convince you." Zachaeus dried himself off the best he could and threw a few towels down for the boy to use before he left the room. He felt like his words meant nothing to the neko, that nothing he did convinced the boy he wouldn't do anything bad to him.

[Nicholi]

Jaohan's ears flattened against the back of his head when he was spoken to the way he was. Lowering his gaze as he was being scolded. A soft tremble ran through him and his tail wrapped tightly around his waist. He hated being scolded constantly, thats all he ever gotten back in the auction house.

 

He bit back the whimpers that tried to leave his lips when Zachaeus continued. Nodding when he was told that he would have to clean up the mess that he had caused. He kept his mouth shut the whole time and kept his gaze down on the floor. Afraid that even if he lifted his gaze that it would only anger Zachaeus even farther.

 

He waited til Zachaeus had left the room. Then he went about drying up all the water he had splashed out of the tub. Groaning softly in the process, he made sure to get all the water up that he could. Looking into the tub after a moment, he winced a bit and grabbed ahold of the drain plug and pulled on it to empty the tub. Catching the toy's in the process and setting them aside.

 

Placing the towels in the hamper after he made sure that every drop of water was cleaned up. He sat himself down in the middle of the floor and waited. Curling himself up and wrapping his tail around his waist tightly.

[ChampionRed007]

Zachaeus went into his bedroom to get dressed and put on some dry clothes. Sometimes he thought he tried so hard with the boy, but never made much progress. He sighed softly and went back into the kitchen to make another cup of coffee. "You may come out when you're finished." He called to Jaohan.

 

As he sipped on his fresh cup of coffee, Zachaeus washed the dishes so he wouldn't procrastinate and let them pile up in the sink. The toys in the main room had been put away except for the scratching post and cat nook of course. The man wasn't trying to be mean, he just had to discipline Jaohan when needed.

 

He put the clean dishes away and started to gaze out the window. The man debated whether he should let the neko go outside or not. There would be no telling what he would get into. As he eventually calmed down, he became lost in thought as he looked out the sunny windows.

[Nicholi]

Jaohan's ears lowered when he heard Zachaeus' words reached him. A soft groan left his lips since he had been sitting there for a while. He wasnt to sure if he wanted to come out of the washroom at that moment. Almost afraid that Zachaeus was still rather upset with him. But he pushed himself up off the floor.

 

Slowly making his way towards the kitchen. His ears stayed lowered when he entered the kitchen. Looking around the corner to see that Zachaeus was lost in thought. He sat down on one of the chairs, wrapping his tail around his waist tightly. At the moment, it didnt matter that he was still stark naked.

 

He just didnt like it when anyone was upset with him. Even if he had not meant to cause trouble. He picked at the fur on his tail and lowered his gaze, before he curled up on the chair. He bit at his lower lips to stay quiet, not wanting to draw to much attention to himself.

[ChampionRed007]

Zachaeus picked up the clothes he had brought from the bedroom and began to clothe the boy silently. He slipped on a pair of pants and buttoned up the shirt, untucking the neko's wrapped up tail. "Do you wish to go outside?" He asked softly after quite some time.

 

The man opened a sliding door, holding a leash in his hand. He stepped outside onto the porch, showing Jaohan that it was safe to step out. Zachaeus wasn't angry any longer, he was just quietly adjusting to a better mood as he calmed down. "I'm not angry at you, you know."

 

He looked around outside at the birds in the feeder and the beautiful gardens and grass around his home. No other houses could been seen so it was nice and secluded. Of course there were homes nearby, but not directly next to each other. Zachaeus let a soft smile grace his features.

[Nicholi]

Jaohan's tail twitched after the clothes were put on him. But it was a flinch that jerked at his body when he heard the man's words. His ears perked up as he watched the door being opened. At first, he expected the man to still be upset with him. But when he was told otherwise, he couldnt help but to follow the man outside into the garden.

 

His gaze darted around the garden, watching the birds and butterflies flying around the area. He turned his gaze back to Zachaeus to make sure it was alright. Not wanting to upset the man anymore than he had been about what happened in the washroom. He stayed where he was at, not wanting to make the wrong move or anything.

 

After a moment, he sat down on the grass. Chasing a grasshopper around in a circle. Twitching his tail behind him in the process. And his ears perking up, with a playful growl leaving his lips each time he missed the insect.

[ChampionRed007]

"If you behave, I won't have to use this." He said, holding up the leash. "That means you don't wander off where I can't see you or go up to the road. You could get hit by a car." Zachaeus encouraged the neko to enjoy his time outside and he shut the door to the house. The man stepped over to a small fish pond and sat on the bench to watch them.

 

"I don't want you killing any of the little creatures either. I rather like them." He gave a soft smile and watched Jaohan play. Zachaeus watched a few of the smaller fish swim up to his side of the pond. He took a small container of fish food out of a small, but nice tool shed and come back to sprinkle bits of food in the water for them.

 

He watched as the aquatic creatures swam around the food particles and jumped slightly out of the water to play with each other. The man looked back to Jaohan to see him playing with the insect in the grass. Zachaeus chuckled when the grasshopper jumped up high and come back down to land on the neko's head.

[Nicholi]

Jaohan nodded when he heard the man talk about the leash. He really didnt want the man to have to use such a thing on him. So he tried to behave the best he could. As for killing anything in the garden, he enjoyed playing with things. But it didnt mean he would kill them on purpose.

 

When the grasshopper had landed on his head, his ears twitched. Then he moved over to the pond that Zachaeus was around. He peered into it, to see the fish swimming around. He tilted his head for a moment as he watched. But decided it was best not to do anything. As he was sure that Zachaeus would be upset if he tried.

 

His gaze darted around the garden for a moment before he nuzzled up to Zachaeus. Purring softly and twitching his tail lazily behind him. He lifted his gaze to the man after a long moment with a soft mewl leaving his lips.

[ChampionRed007]

Zachaeus found himself giving in when the boy purred and gave such a soft mew from his lips. He brought the neko into his lap and smiled, kissing the top of Jaohan's head. "I'm sorry for earlier." He apologized as he rubbed the boy's ears. The man watched the fish in the pond as he held Jaohan.

 

His gaze fell on a tiny animal that seemed to have come out of nowhere. The frail little thing stumbled into a bush upon seeing the two. Zachaeus raised a brow. "Is that a kitten?" He asked Jaohan as he watched the small ball of black fur in the shrub. The man loved animals, and had a soft spot especially for cats.

 

He continued to stroke the neko's head as he hugged him close. Zachaeus frowned when he heard a rather pitiful meow from the bush. The tiny kitten was obviously without a mother and looked very skinny. It looked dirty and scuffed up as if something had tried to attack it. The man couldn't stand to see the little thing in its condition.

[Nicholi]

Jaohan's ears perked up when he was picked up and placed on the man's lap. Lowering his ears a bit as the top of his head was kissed. He nodded when he heard the other. "Im sorry, Master. I didnt mean to do that." He said softly. His relaxed onto the man's lap as his ears were rubbed, purring softly.

 

His tail twitched behind him a bit when his attention was brought back. Looking towards where Zachaeus was looking. He twitched his ears a little. He wasnt to sure, but when he heard the animal that was hidden in the bush. He jumped down from Zachaeus' lap. Nosing his way into the bush to pick up the kitten.

 

He tilted his head a little before lowering his ears. Seeing how badly the kitten's condition was. It was clear that it had not eaten in a few day's. His gaze darted to Zachaeus. "Master..." He said softly. The kitten in his arms was lethargic and wasnt responding quickly enough.

[ChampionRed007]

"It's okay. We'll settle for just a cloth bath from now on." Zachaeus chuckled, but stopped when he watched the poor kitten. It hardly looked old enough to leave its mother and it could barely stand up on its own. Knowing they had to try and help the kitten, the man gently took it from Jaohan's arms and carefully looked it over.

 

"Let's take it inside to see what we can do, Jaohan." Zachaeus stood from the bench and walked inside the house with the boy and the kitten. The little ball of fur opened its mouth, but a meow never came out. Having a soft spot for cats, the man had taken care of them before so he had a few supplies, he just hoped they would work. The excellent condition and cleanliness of his house would never suspect he owned cats before.

 

Zachaeus gave the kitten back to Jaohan a moment so he could prepare some formula for it to eat. He put the mix in a syringe and gently squeezed the kitten's jaws so it would open its mouth. Since the little thing wasn't very responsive, the man had to hold its mouth open and slowly give it some formula.

[Nicholi]

Jaohan watched as the kitten was taken from his arms, So he followed after Zachaeus into the house. His ears twitching for a moment before he was to hold the kitten once again. He sat down on a chair in the kitchen as Zachaeus went to prepare something. Only to return and began to feed to poor creature in his arms.

 

He frowned a moment when the kitten wasnt responding to the forumla that it was being given. After a moment, he reached for the kitten's throat and began to massage it. Causing the kitten to forcefully swallow the liquid. It was the other thing he could think of doing to get something in the kitten's system. He had remembered that trick from when he had been little and he had been to weak to eat. His mother had done it to him when he was sick.

 

The trick seemed to be working as he watched. "Master... not so much. We dont know how long he has been without food." He said softly. "You give him to much, it would make him worse." He said as he lifted his gaze. "Give him small amounts every few hours. Its what my mother did when I was sick and little before I was sent to the auction house."

[ChampionRed007]

"That will come in handy if I ever need to take care of you when you're sick." He said to Jaohan, gently pulling the syringe out of the kitten's tiny mouth and putting it aside. Going to the bathroom to get a warm, wet cloth, Zachaeus soon came back and softly rubbed the dirt away that was stuck to the kitten's face.

 

The man smiled when the tiny thing could finally open its eyes all the way. "Hello there." He continued to bathe away the dirt from the kitten's body like its mother would do. "You know... When I purchased you, they didn't tell me much about you." He spoke to Jaohan. "Can you tell me about your mother and father? If it's a touchy subject then you don't have to tell me."

 

Zachaeus finished bathing the kitten for now and rubbed its tiny black ears. "This one is a little boy." He heard a soft noise come from the little fluff ball and smiled again. "With lots of attention, he'll grow up to be a strong, happy cat." The man was well aware of death being a possibility, but he tried to stay positive. It used to break the man's heart to see any animal die when he was a child.

[Nicholi]

Jaohan's ears twitched when he heard the man's words. A soft groan leaving his lips as Zachaeus had gotten the idea to use the same trick on him if or when he ever got sick again. It wasnt a pleasant feeling being forced to swallow anything, but he knew it would be best to know a way just in case it wasnt avoidable.

 

His ears perked up after a moment and looked down at the kitten in his arms. Hearing the questions, he knew this topic would come up sooner or later. Lowering his ears after a moment. "I dont... remember to much about them. I was taken away at a young age. Much of what I remember is foggy." He said softly.

 

He tilted his head after a long moment. A small snicker leaving his lips, it was easy for him to tell the kitten's gender. Being a neko after all. So he found it funny that Zachaeus had to check the kitten to find out. Nodding after a moment, he lowered his ears. "I think he will be alright. Just need to keep an eye on him, let him rest." He said softly before pausing a moment. "I... can let him sleep in my bed. Since I am part cat myself, I would be able to tell if he needed something quicker. No offense." He said softly.

[ChampionRed007]

"I see. That's alright, maybe it will just take time to remember. But if not, that's okay too." Zachaeus put the washcloth and utensils to feed the kitten aside. He looked at the poor thing, hearing it protest in Jaohan's arms as if it wanted down. "That will be fine, I just hope he doesn't use your bed as a litter box."

 

"Excuse me for not being part cat." Zachaeus chuckled back. The man went to the bedroom, wanting the neko to follow. "You think he'll be alright, don't you..?" His voice sounded unsure, the man hated to see anything suffer or die. "Is there something more we should do?" A hint of worry was obviously in his tone.

 

He tried to push his worries out of his mind as he watched the boy and the kitten. Zachaeus looked at the ball of fur trying his hardest to stay awake, but he kept wobbling over sleepily. The man smiled as it let out a very tiny mew. "He looks sleepy." He reached over and gently pet the kitten's head, noticing its weak attempt to nuzzle his hand.