Saku
Saku eyed the curtains and his fingers moved slightly. They looked like they'd be perfect for sharpening his claws on. He looked up at his Da, then stealthly crawled over to the curtains, slipping into cat form on the way. The morning sun peeped at him through the fabric, and he waved at it, slicing little paws through the dust motes. Shiny! Then he bunched his little muscles together and jumped. Claws scrabbled for purchase as he steadily climbed to the top of the curtain rod, and then lay there, yawning. A bit tired, but proud. He was so high up! He could see everything! He would've giggled if he was human shaped.
Zac
Zac's eyes opened sleepily and he noticed that Saku's bed was empty. He rolled over.
Wait...
Saku's bed was empty?
Zac rolled over again, eyes wide open. Yep, it was empty all right. He sat up and looked around wildly. Where could he be?
Zac got out of bed and threw on his dressing gown frantically.
"Saku?" he called.
Saku
Saku eyed his father with amusement, and his tail swished. He moved his paws, kneading them under his claws. Bad idea. Saku tumbled from the curtain rod, twisting in midair to land on his feet but still landing with an audible thump on the ground. He shook his head dazedly. That had not been fun at all...but it had been fun up there before he'd fallen down. Saku made to jump up again, brown eyes gleaming with delight. A few quick scrambles and he was once more perched on top of the curtain rod. He licked his paw daintily, the feline equivalent of sucking his thumb. "Mrrrrowwwrrr."
Zac
"Saku!" Zac exclaimed.
His son was on the curtain rod.
Oh dang.
"Saku, get down," he said, having a sneaking suspicion that was futile.
Saku
Saku purred, and licked his paw again. This altered his balance. "Mew!" He almost fell, mewing in fright, then wedged his claws good and tight in the material. His heart beat faster for a few moments, then he cautiously clambered back onto the top. He cocked his head, and eyed the bed. Wonder if I could make it from here...
Zac
Zac winced. Okay, he officially hoped they were well away from here by the time the hotel people noticed the damage to the curtains.
"Saku, come down please," he said.
"Okay, Zac, your son is a cat. Okay that's both obvious and disturbing but... okay just don't dwell on that aspect and yeah... argh! Okay... what appeals to cats?"
"Mice? Maybe I should get him a rubber mouse," Zac muttered to himself. "Where's that string?"
Saku
Saku decided he could make the bed from here, and jumped. Just before he hit the bed he shifted into human. He hit the bed, bounced a few times and giggled, black hair mussed and sticking up at odd angles. He eyed the curtain again, and made a movement towards it.
Zac
"Oh no you don't," Zac said, grabbing at Saku. "Don't you let me see you climbing up curtains again. We don't live here. These are not our things."
Oh yeah, that was really going to work.
"How about... first opportunity we get, we get you a scratching post?"
Bribary. Yeah, that'll do the trick.
Saku
Saku giggled. "Fun! Funfunfunfunfun!" He bounced slightly on the bed. "Do it again! Pwease?" He turned his limpid brown eyes on Zac in an imploring gaze.
Zac
"See this is the thing," Zac said. "You can jump on the bed, but you're not allowed to climb up the curtains. And puppy- err kitty-cat faces don't work on me kid. Who do you think you got them from?"
"His mother, of course, but that's besides the point."
Saku
Black lashes blinked, and the eyes started to shimmer. The lip went out even further as Saku looked at Zac like he'd been betrayed or something. "Pwease?" He glanced over at the curtain, sighed softly, sniffed, then turned the anime eyes back on Zac.
Zac
"Must... stay... strong... You let him get away with this now you'll never make it as a father," Zac coached himself. "You can't let your kids walk all over you! Stay firm!"
"No."
Zac didn't trust himself to say anything more.
Saku
Saku sucked in a wavering breath, and kicked his feet slightly, hands folded in over each other in his lap. He snuck a glance at the now forbidden curtains...wait, Da said only when he could see him. That meant he could play on them when Da couldn't see. That could work. "Otay," Saku said softly, the tears still shimmering.
Zac
"Okay, good boy," Zac replied with a relieved sigh.
He carefully picked up Saku.
"C'mon, let's go get some breakfast. What would you like to eat?"
Saku
Saku thought about that for a minute, tongue stuck out the side of his mouth as the tears magically dried up. "Milk," he said decisvely.
Zac
"Okay, milk it is," Zac agreed.
He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle.
"Would you like me to warm it up for you?"
"What kind of parent has a conversation like this with a son who was only conveived less than a month ago? Meh."
Saku
"Pwease," Saku said, then stuck his thumb back in his mouth. Huge brown eyes watched Zac's every movement. Wanna climb on the curtains...does he mean just these curtains? Maybe I can climb on other curtains, but not these ones...
Zac
"Okay," Zac replied agreeably.
He used his power the heat the milk up to an appropriate temperature, took the cap off and then gave the bottle to Saku.
"Bon appitite," he grinned.
Saku
"Tank 'oo," Saku lisped, then took the bottle and started drinking. Eyes slid halfclosed in drowsy contentment as he drank down the warm milk, purring slightly. Yum. Not as nice as mama...but still good.
Zac
Zac smiled. Okay he could do this.
"You're welcome."
He put Saku down on a chair and then tended to his own breakfast. Isaac was being a sluggabed, and Zac didn't feel at all inclined to wake him.
Saku
Saku finished his bottle, then dropped it. Ok, bored now. Bored, bored, bored...he sucked on his thumb thoughtfully and surveyed the room for entertainment possibilities. Uncle Ike! He was asleep... Giggling quietly to himself, Saku shifted into cat and prowled across to Ike's bed. His feet moved at the bottom of the bed, and that was too tempting a target to resist. Saku pounced.
Isaac and Zac
"Ahh!" Isaac yelped, jerking awake.
After his heart had calm down a bit, he noticed Saku on the bed.
"Zac!" He yelled.
"What?" Zac demanded, bowl of cereal in hand.
"Your son attacked me!"
Zac looked at Saku, then at Isaac, then back at Saku.
"Next time, make sure I'm there to watch," he told Saku.
Saku
Saku looked at Zac, tilting his head slightly, then settled down to wash himself. Rubbing his licked paw over his head, he wondered how soon he could move without Uncle Ike suspecting anything...now would do. Saku jumped again, claws fully extended. Feet! He got caught up in the blankets and squeaked with surprise, before settling to growling and ripping at them. Bad blankets! Which were also on Ike...
Isaac and Zac
Isaac yelped some more, kicked and fianlly picked up Saku telekinetically.
"Zac!" he bellowed. "Control your son!"
Zac's only response was to shove food in his mouth. This was so cool. Revenge on Isaac and he didn't even have to lift a finger.
Saku
Saku squeaked again, then turned wide brown eyes on Ike. Little paws scrabbled in midair, and his ears went flat against his skull. He hissed angrily, lips curling back from shiny white teeth. This was not fun. Not fun at all. He shifted back into human, and opened his mouth to cry, tears welling up and looking absolutely pitiful.
Isaac and Zac
Isaac put Saku down near Zac and Zac wagged his spoon at him.
"Really Isaac," he said reproachfully. "If you're going to treat you're own nephew like that, I hope you never become a father."
Isaac glowered at his brother, then gathered some clothes and went into the bathroom to get dressed. Zac smirked.
Saku
Saku was still surprised about why and how he'd actually got where he was, and he frowned as he tried to figure it out. The tears were blinked away as he thought. With an agile wriggle, Saku was off the chair and exploring the hotel room for about the fifth time. Quick thought and he was crawling under the bed, ears pricked and brown eyes glowing slightly as his paws patted dustbunnies. He sneezed as one of them got up his nose. Ah CHOO! He growled and pounced again. He sneezed some more and started spluttering. Very quickly, he was out from under the bed and gave it a deadly glare. Then his eyes crossed and he sneezed again.
Isaac and Zac
"You okay, Saku?" Zac asked, lookign at him in concerned.
A moment later Isaac walked out of the bathroom and then stared preparing his own breakfast. He sighed. Man, why did things have to be so hostile between them now? He would have thought Zac would have gotten over it by now.
Guess not.
Saku
Saku sneezed so hard he actually toppled over. He made a disgusted noise, then rolled back onto his four feet. Oooh, feet! He started stalking Ike across the room. I am the mighty hunter! Hunt those feet!
Isaac and Zac
Isaac got his breakfast together and then began multitasking. He ate his breakfast, and while he was chewing started pulling on his socks and shoes.
Zac shook his head. Why did Isaac always insist on doing stuff like that? He finished off his breakfast and organised is own clothes.
Saku
Saku pounced on Ike's trailing laces, then let out an almighty squall when Ike stood on his tail by accident. The kitten shot away and under a bed. Owowowow! OW! He sniffled to himself softly, feeling very illtreated and injured indeed.
Isaac and Zac
Isaac yelped again.
"Zac! I swear, get a reign on your son!"
Zac raised an eyebrow.
"C'mon Saku," he said. "Don't pester Uncle Ike any more. You never know what he might do to you."
Isaac sighed.
Saku
Saku crawled out from under the bed and ran into Zac's arms. "It *hurt*! He stepped on my tail, and, and..." The tears started to fall, and the lip quivered.
Isaac and Zac
"There, there," Zac said, then glared at Isaac. "See what you've done? You've made Saku cry."
Isaac closed his eyes for a moment, willing himself not to lose his temper.
"I'm sorry Saku," he said calmly. "I didn't mean to tread on your tail, but in the future you need to be careful that you don't get under foot."
Saku
Saku sniffled, brown eyes showing deep and abiding hurt as he stared accusatively at Ike. He was a poster child for abused children everywhere. "Mama says it's always the two legger's fault if a tail gets stepped on," he pointed out reasonably. "But not to worry cos they can't really help it that they're blind." The thumb went back in his mouth, and he glared at Ike and snuggled into Zac.
Isaac and Zac
Isaac sighed. Of all the animals Nyx had to be, why a cat?
"Ike in particular can't help being blind," Zac grinned. "Why, his own ex-girlfriend abducted him and took away his sight completely. He see much better now, but I guess that's still not enough to see innocent weredathrians tails."
Saku
Saku wiped his eyes, face still fixed in a pout at Ike. Then he looked up at Zac. "If he does it again, can I singe him? Pwease?" Then his eyes strayed over to the curtains for a moment. No! Pout! He gazed back up at Zac.
Zac and Isaac
Zac gave Isaac a considering look.
"I'll think about it," he promised.
Isaac sighed. He finished getting ready, then grabbed his wallet and keys.
"See you two later," he said. "Much, much later."
And he left the room.
Saku and Mouse
Saku pouted, then wriggled off Zac's lap. He went over to some of the toys Zac had bought the day before and starting playing with them, talking in fragmented Egyptian and English.
"Hey, Ike...what's up?" Mouse asked in concern.
Isaac and Zac
Zac smiled, watching Saku play. Yes, a scratching post was a must.
"Hi Mouse," Isaac said with a sigh. "Zac's still mad at me for supposedly going behind his back with Faith."
Saku and Mouse
Saku looked back up at Zac and beamed, looking utterly adorable. "Luff you," he declared before turning back to his games. Currently, the golden haired doll was being eaten by the stuffed cat. "Rarrrr...Chomp, chomp, chomp! Save me, save me!" He squealed for the doll in a falsetto. "Grrrrrr," he growled for the cat.
"It'll work out, you'll see." Mouse smiled sadly and touched Ike's shoulder in reassurance. "You guys...what you have is too special to throw away on a misunderstanding. He's just hurting right now."
Isaac and Zac
"Love you too," Zac replied, with no end to his smile in sight.
"I hope so," Isaac answered. "For one thing, it's driving me nuts him using Saku as his weapon against me."
Saku and Mouse
Saku growled loudly as the cat finally dispatched the evil golden haired doll. "Grrrr!"
"How is he using Saku as a weapon? Kitten...kinda small and fuzzy, not so with the dangerousness." Mouse quirked an eyebrow.
Isaac and Zac
Zac chuckled to himself.
"In case you haven't noticed, cats like to play with moving things. Such as feet. And shoelaces," Isaac said. "And Zac only encourages him."
Saku and Mouse
Saku shifted, pounced on some sunbeams, then picked up the golden haired doll and shook it like a rat, before throwing it, pouncing and ripping into it with his claws. I am the hunter! Grrr!
"Kinda irresponsible of Zac," Mouse said. "Saku won't understand that he isn't meant to do it to other people, if Zac lets him get away with it with you. I remember Sidhe used to..." Mouse trailed off sadly, then she shook herself lightly. "Saku doesn't mean anything by it."
Isaac and Zac
Zac grinned, watching Saku play. As long as he wasn't like that on something that mattered, it was all good.
"I know he doesn't," Isaac said. "But Zac... does. Argh! It's so frustrating that he won't believe me when I say that there's..."
Isaac trailed off and sighed.
"I don't think he'd listen to me... but maybe he would listen to you, if you told him that. Y'know, it's not good not to disipline Saku when he's naughty just because he has a grudge to settle."
Saku and Mouse
Saku yawned, having dispatched the evil doll, and then settled down to licking himself vigourously. Licking his paw, then scrubbing it over his head with almost fierce concentration.
"Yeah...I'll try talking to him." Mouse shrugged. "And even if Saku was only a cat...you know. Still wouldn't be right. Letting him get away with it. Occasionally, yeah. Always? Not good. That ways lies horrendously spoiled kitty boy with a lot of power. That could wind up nasty."
Isaac and Zac
"Well," Zac said to himself, "there's a plus - will never have to worry about making sure he has his washes."
"Thanks," Isaac replied. "I'm sure Zac knows that - he just needs to be reminded."
Saku and Mouse
Saku decided that was enough washing for the day and bounded over to Zac's fet. Purring he twined himself along them, before darting away again to play hide and seek with the edge of the bedspread. Brown eyes glanced from under it to look up at Zac, then Saku had disappeared again.
"Not a problem, Ike. Really. Besides, it's not nice for an empath to be wandering around in hostility. If I was wolf, it would rub my fur the wrong way." Mouse grinned slightly. "Reminding I can do. Maybe if we get Tay in on it..."
Isaac and Zac
"As long as he doesn't do anything naughty again..." Zac murmered to himself.
Then he sighed. They were going out soon - concert today and all that. He should probably get ready.
"Thanks Mouse," Isaac said. "Anything you can do will me most appreciated."
Saku and Mouse
Saku was having fun pouncing on a bug he had found. Mighty hunter! Rawr!
"Not a problem, Ike. Really." Mouse smiled at him. "I'll talk to him later."