Bonded

By: Neko-chan

Disclaimer: Yup....I own everything......and I mean...EVERYTHING!! (Oh, wait....I don't own the name Tasuki.......but everything else, I DO!!) Hope ya like it! (Oh....there's a little side story that goes with this.....it's called A Chat With Death.....it doesn't really connect with this series, but the characters are the same. If you have time, check it out! ^.~)

Once, in a time not so long ago, and a place not so far away, there was a young child dying slowly. She was pretty, this little girl, with thigh length red-orange hair and gray eyes the color of storm clouds. Life's breath had just barely touched her when she contracted a rare disease.

Doctors could do nothing for her; and so, she suffered in silence. One day, when her mother knew that she was about to die, the child's mother gave the young girl a present. A small black kitten with emerald green eyes. The girl's eyes slowly opened and she stared at the kitten in wonder.

"For me?" she whispered hoarsely, reaching out and cupping the kitten to her chest. The kitten purred and snuggled closer, it's eyes closing in pleasure.

"For you," the mother replied as she brushed a strand of hair from the little girl's face. "He's all yours, so take very good care of him."

The little girl nodded, entranced by the little ball of fur snuggled so close against her. Her mother smiled and left, tears shining in her eyes, caused by the sad scene. Her daughter wouldn't have time to watch the kitten grow up, she wouldn't laugh at it's antics, she wouldn't feel a rush of gratitude as the cat sat on her lap during a cold and drab day. Her daughter would die before she could experience all that.

The little girl waited until her mother left and then picked the kitten up, brushing her cheek against it's own. "I'll name you.....Tasuki," she said softly, staring into it's eyes. It mewed loudly and licked her nose. The little girl yawned, suddenly drowsy. She lay back down in bed and instantly fell asleep, the little kitten curled up by her head.

Once Tasuki was certain that his new mistress was asleep, he opened his gem-bright eyes and looked in a certain corner of her small room. Death stared back at him, his purple eyes sad.

Death stretched his black wings and moved closer to the bed, Tasuki's eyes following him closely. Once he stood by the side of the bed, he looked down, his shoulder length black hair shadowing his face, masking the emotions in his eyes.

Gently reaching forward, he brushed the hair from the little girl's pale face. "I'm sorry," he said softly to the kitten. "But......it's time....."

The kitten hissed and extended his claws. Swiping at Death's hand, he left deep scratches and glared up at the dark being.

Death stepped back, surprised by the ferocity this little ball of fur presented to him. "Little beast!" he exclaimed. "You know that I must take her. It's my role in this Universe. I take the people who are about to die."

But all the kitten did was just stare up at Death, his expression mutinous. He seemed to be trying to tell Death something with his eyes, the message clear for all who would look. Death's eyes once again saddened. Then, with one sculptured finger, he reached out and gently touched the small kitten on the head.

Tasuki's eyes glazed over, becoming empty of all emotion and life. He tumbled to the bed, waking the little girl up as he fell against her arm. She scooped the kitten up into her arms, cradling it to her. "Tasuki.......Tasuki, are you all right?" she asked, stroking his velvety head. But the small kitten didn't answer her. He was dead.

The little girl's eyes widened when she realized this; clutching him to her chest, she started to sob. She knew that the small kitten had given his life in order to save her own. But how could she ever thank him, if he was dead? He was gone.....forever.

Death felt sorry for this little one and so he sat on the bed and brought the child into his arms. He gently brushed kisses against her hair, closing his eyes in bittersweet happiness as she burrowed against him, still clutching the dead kitten to her chest. After a while, the child's sobs soon stopped. She was still crying, but not as much as before.

All too soon, the child realized that someone was holding her tightly, kissing her softly and whispering soft endearments to her. Looking up with a tearstained face, her eyes slowly widened. It was Death. He looked down at her and smiled gently. "I'm sorry," he said. "I've never been as truly sorry as I am right now." He leaned forward and brushed a kiss against her forehead. "Go to sleep, Arashi.......and know that Tasuki's sacrifice wasn't in vain. Live....."

Arashi slowly leaned back, her eyes beginning to flutter shut. "Please...." she whispered. "Please don't leave me......promise that you'll be back again to visit. Please?"

Death stopped. "I promise," he said softly. A tear dropped to the carpet below him. And then......he was gone.