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Disclaimer: I only own James, Edan, Sekorie, and the girl, who we'll find more about, later on in the story.

A Cat's Instinct

Chapter 2: Adaptation

Captain Kuro checked his watch. He was tired of walking, and getting sick, but the only thing on his mind, was his young apprentice. He came to a large mansion on the edge of the town, fell to his knees and collapsed.

The guards of the mansion looked at Kuro, and became angry,

"Get outta here!" one of them yelled, "Go die somewhere else!"

However, the owner of the mansion looked at Kuro with pity.

"Let him in." the man said calmly.

"But sir, he's not worthy of your kindness..." the other said.

"Just let him in. Our doors are always open for those in need." The man answered, calmly.

The two guards helped Kuro off the ground, and into the mansion, where he was promised a bed, food, and a job, as a butler.

The man's young daughter, Kaya, sat next to him.

"Sir, are you okay?" she asked innocently.

"I'm fine." He answered weakly.

"Well, we're gonna be good friends, right?" she asked, smiling.

"Of course..." Kuro said.

"What's your name, sir?" Kaya asked.

"My name..." Kuro said, "Is Klahadore."

James, meanwhile, looked around, scanning the village.

Many people gave him strange looks as he passed by.

James sighed, and continued walking. He then reluctantly looked back, to see if Django was still in sight.

"He's not there." James thought solemnly, "He walks fast backwards..."

Looking forward, he collided, with a girl, about his age.

"I am so sorry." James said, brushing himself off, "I hope I didn't hurt you."

She burst out laughing.

"You're pathetic, aren't you? You're like the rest of those dogs, called men." The girl said, "There was only one worth it, and he went and got himself killed. I, of course, escaped."

She turned to James,

"What's your story?"

James spoke after a few moments,

"Well, I was part of a pirate crew, a small crew, of course....and our captain was killed. As last orders, and me being his apprentice, he ordered me to live on this island." He said.

"Wow, you're captain must've cared for you." She said, "Mine could've cared less for us. He always threatened to kill us, but he was a respectable villain, all the same. His name was Captain Kuro, leader of the Black Cat, or Kuro Neko Pirates. You may have heard of him."

She ran a hand through her hair, with a smooth grace.

James flinched at the sound of Kuro's name.

"Does she know I'm part of his crew?" he thought.

She turned away from him, for a moment.

"So, who was your father?" she asked randomly.

James thought for a few seconds, but unable to remember his father's false name, he faked it.

"His name is Keiji." James lied, "But he joined a crew and left a very long time ago."

"Oh, well, that sucks for you." She said, "Well, what's your name?" she asked.

James hesitated.

She looked at him, unconvinced, but shrugged off the doubt.

She turned to face him,

"Well, you probably want to know my name, right?" She asked, scowling at him.

"Well, sure, why not?" he asked.

"It's a secret." She said, giving him a smirk, "But you are cute."

James blushed slightly,

"Thanks, I guess..." he said.

She then walked away, waving her hand briefly.

James watched her, in slight confusion, but picked up his book, put it under his arm, and continued walking into the town. His feet started to ache. He sat down, his back leaning against a nearby, faded fence.

It was rough, but he was too tired to mind the splintery texture.

Right before he was going to close his eyes, a woman, around her late thirties, knelt down before him.

"Are you alright?" she asked, putting a ringed hand on his shoulder.

"I'm fine" he said, casually, sitting up.

"Nonsense! Come, we'll get you something to eat, and somewhere to rest!" she said, pushing him along.

"I'm very thankful for your kindness..." James said, uneasily.

"It's no problem." She said, "What's your name little man?"

"James Neko." He replied, shyly.

She turned around and gave him a weird look.

"Alright James, "She said.

They turned and entered through a gate, which led to a small yard, which further led to a small white house.

"Here we are, James." She said, giving him a small smile.

James looked around, and cautiously walked behind her.

"It's alright." She said, assuring.

She took his hand, and walked him into the house.

"Edan, we're home!" she called, putting her bad down, and hanging up his coat.

A tall man emerged, from the depths of the house. His brown hair pulled into a ponytail that hung like a tail behind his back.

"Sekorie, who do we have here?" he asked, crouching down to meet James' eye level.

"Edan, this is James." She said, giving him a small tap forward.

Edan examined the boy, and gave him a smirk.

"Welcome James. I suppose you're going to stay with us." Edan said.

James only shrugged his shoulders, and clutched his book tighter.

"I guess so..." he said.

Edan rustled the boy's hair,

"What a fine lad!" he said laughing.

James couldn't help but break in a grin.

Sekorie came out, a medium-sized bowl in hand.

"Here James, some soup and rice for you." She said, placing it on the table.

James walked over to the table, and sat down. He ate neatly, but quickly.

"What's the matter? Are you some kind of wolf or something?" Edan asked, jokingly.

"Don't worry James. There's plenty, and I made dinner, so leave some room." Sekorie said.

James slowed down his eating. He felt so at home there.

Well, Edan and Sekorie raised James as they would a loyal son, teaching him academics, how to play the violin, and Edan even showed James how to use a sword while in and out of combat.

For two years, James lived and trained with the couple.

"What a brilliant boy." Sekorie said, "I've defiantly grown to love him."

Edan put an arm around his wife,

"Yes, maybe we should adopt him, as our own." Edan suggested.

Sekorie's eyes lit up.

"Oh Edan, that's a wonderful idea!" she exclaimed, hugging him, "But do you think he'll agree?"

Edan shrugged his shoulders,

"I can never be sure with that boy. He's full of surprises." Edan said.

James was in his room, now fifteen years old. Studying, as he usually did in his spare time. He was much taller, and could easily be mistaken for a small eighteen year old.

"James?" Sekorie called.

He looked up and smiled.

"Yes ma'am?" he asked, standing up, putting his bookmark in place.

"My James, you're almost as tall as I am." She said, smiling, "Anyway, I have good news."

James looked at her expectantly.

"Yes, well, what is it?" he asked, his excitement growing.

"Edan and I...we're going to adopt you as our son." She said, "If you want."

James felt his heart fall.

"Isn't that wonderful?" she asked, rejoice fully.

"I'm sorry...I can't." James said, solemnly.

"What's the matter James?" she asked, walking over to him.

"Well, I never told anyone this before..." he said, "Well, before I came here, I was part of a famous pirate crew. The Black Cat pirates under Captain Kuro Neko. Captain Kuro was said to have no family, no wife, no kids, but that's wrong. How do I know this? I am his son. The infamous Captain Kuro is my father. Please, don't tell anyone!"

Sekorie looked down at her feet, obviously hiding some kind of secret, as James continued.

"It is my dream to gain revenge on my father's capturer, and gain back his honor."

Sekorie's eyes filled with tears.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I really am..."

"No James, I always knew. I'm your aunt, your mother's sister. I knew you, ever since you came to this island, as a boy. I couldn't believe it. Ever since my sister died life around here, has been so disorderly, and confused!" she sobbed, "When I took you in, it brought life back to our old house. I hoped to keep you here, with us, away from the dangerous path of your father, but the call of the sea is very strong, like the currents themselves. You have too much pirate blood in your veins, James. Oh, by the way, a man in a purple coat dropped something off for you. He told me to give it to you, when you decide to answer the sea's call."

She went to a closet, and pulled a dusty, faded, leather bag, and handed it to him.

James recognized it immediately.

After tearing open the broken zipper, he found an adult sized cat claws, and a note.

James looked at the claws, but then grabbed the note, and read it.

"My son,

I regret that I was unable to see you in your shining glory as a pirate. I want you to know how proud I am, and I wish you all the luck in the Seven Seas.

Your father, and Captain,

Kuro Neko"

Tears came to James' eyes as he finished the letter.

"This is why I must gain back my father's honor. He is a good man." He said.

Sekorie read the note.

"Everything changed when your mother died. I'm sure that's why he turned so dark and cold, losing the young light that he used to have burning within him." Sekorie said, stoically.

Changing the subject, and her train of thought, she spoke,

"When are you planning to leave?" she asked, "I must know, so I can prepare myself, and you."

James smiled sadly,

"I shall leave tomorrow. I feel that the time has come." He said.

She nodded,

"I will set up for you. I wish though, that you may reconsider your decision, and stay with us." She added.

"Of course I will." He said, "But I doubt that I will stay. This has been my goal, ever since his death."

James then reached into the bag, and studied the claws. He grinned, as he scrutinized the blades carefully.

"They are beautifully made, aren't they?" Edan said, from behind him.

James spun around.

"I'm sorry..." he said.

"It's alright. I heard the whole thing." Edan interrupted, "I understand. Sekorie told me about your relation to the pirates, and I think it's pretty cool."

James looked at Sekorie and smiled.

She returned it, even though tears continued to pour down her face.

"I have to pack tonight, if I 'm going to leave by day break tomorrow." He said.

"Don't bother, James. We'll do it for you." Sekorie said, "You just get some sleep, and gather your strength."

Sekorie glanced at Edan, as James nodded, and headed to his room, shutting the door behind him.

"He's just like his father." She said.

Edan put an arm around her waist.

"I couldn't agree with you more." He said.