Tsundere Neko Mom/Dad Gets Adopted Part 3

What am I going to do? What am I going to do?

*knock on door SFX*

Ugh... Come in!

*door open SFX*

You know, you have a knack for coming in at the *exact* wrong time, boss. I'm beginning to think you're a bad omen.

I *know* I have to make a decision. I just... I don't know what to do. I don't want to leave my baby behind. Well, maybe I don't have to. Do you know if the family is willing to adopt them, too?

You aren't saying anything. Why aren't you saying anything?

[defeated] They don't want to, do they?

*sigh* God damn it.

I *know* it's something that I've wanted for a long long time; I've been here, what, almost a decade? But like, I don't know if I can leave my little one behind. They're... so special to me. They mean the world to me and to give them up like that would be just...

*knock on door SFX*

Oh, no... Come in, hun.

*sigh* Hey, baby. I'm-- I'm guessing you heard the news?

Yea, yea, come here.

*shushing* It's okay, [mommy/daddy]'s here. [mommy/daddy]'s here.

No, no, I'm not going immediately. We still have some time together.

I know you don't want me to leave, I really don't want to either.

It's not that easy a choice, sweetheart. I really wish it was.

No, it's not that I don't love you. It's *because* I love you so much.

Here, sit on my lap. I want to tell you a story.

So, like you, I didn't have the happiest childhood. I moved into the shelter when I was 10; fortunately, around that age is when nekos are most easily adopted. They're old enough to be mostly independent, but still got that cutesy kitten charm, just like you've got. The unfortunate part of it is that any friendships you make are quickly lost.

Yea, I've had experience with that, too. Unfortunately, too much. I lived through that *so* many times. When I was that age I would see my friends come and go and always thought "It's going to be my turn. It's going to be my turn." but I waited weeks... months... years... and still nothing. No one wanted me.

I don't know why, sweetie. I still don't know why. But, it hurt. It hurt *so* much. I couldn't understand why I wasn't loved.

Oh, I *didn't* handle it well. I kind of... I decided that if no one was going to give me a reason why they didn't want me, I was going to *give* them a reason. I became cold, bitter, angry; I fought with anyone who came close; I became a bully.

Oh I *was* lonely. I was *so* lonely, hun. But it was the only way that I could handle the pain.

Yea, and then you came along. You showed me what it's like to have someone depend on you, to have someone need you. And that thawed my frozen heart. That's why this family wants to adopt me: they have their own litte one they need taken care of.

*sigh* [trying not to cry] Baby... Don't make this harder than it needs to be... I know you need me, too... But you have Ari to look after you.

I know they aren't me... But... Oh my god, baby, I don't know what to do. I can't leave you behind. But I've wanted this for as long as I can remember.

*sigh* Do you mind giving us some time alone? Tell the family that I'm still saying my goodbyes.

*door close SFX*

Here, let's get into bed and cuddle for a while.

*sheet rustle SFX*
*scritching SFX*

Shh, shh... Don't cry sweetheart. You know I won't be gone forever. I'll still come back to visit you.

I know it isn't the same, but I won't be completely gone from your life, you know?

This was always going to be the eventual end, you know that right? As cruel as it is for the universe to bring us together and tear us apart so quickly, there was no other way about it.

I know, sweetheart. I wish it wasn't that way, too. But one day you'll have your own family that will love and cherish you just like I have.

*sigh* Baby... You gotta let go of me, now. This is something that I've wanted for my whole life. I--I can't give this up.

[stuttering] No, it's not that I don't love you anymore I just-- sweetie, I-- I-- This isn't--- *sigh* [underbreath] dammit.

Kitten, this is something I have to do for me. For my own sake. I just... [crying] Will you forgive me?

Please, love. I'm so *so* sorry to do this to you. I hope you'll understand.

*sigh* Hun, I think it's about time that I get going now.

Honey, you're going to have to let go of me.

*sigh* Okay... 5 more minutes. Then I really have to go, okay?

*scritching SFX to fade out*