Royal Bastards (Aneko & Yukiko)

[Silver Wings]

Aneko looped the ends of the cloth together around the smaller feet of the girl in front of her. The six year old girl that was  currently sitting in front of the slightly older girl was sitting surprisingly still as Aneko finished up the makeshift shoes. Her ears were perked as she listened for any movement. There wasn't anyone awake during the day here, but better safe than sorry.

Once secured, the small, cat-eared girl took her by the hand and pulled her off the small stool she had been sitting on. She looked down at her own bare feet. It was snowing out, so she should be wearing something to protect her feet too, but she was sturdier than the human girl with her. And it was the middle of the day, so hopefully the snow wouldn't be as cold because of the sunshine. It wasn't like this place gave them shoes.

"Now, remember: we have to stay quiet for this game, ok?" She spoke to the younger girl as she opened a window. Normally they were kept locked, to stop any runaways. But it was winter now. Who would be stupid enough?

But they weren't stupid.

They were desperate.

Aneko hoisted the younger girl through the window first, then followed her out. Her claws made climbing easy.

Once out, Aneko wasted no time: She grabbed Yukiko's hand, and started running, doing her best to ignore the cold snow on her feet. Yukiko whimpered behind her as the cold of the snow seeped into the fabric she had tied around the younger girls feet. Aneko was only two years older, but she looked after Yukiko like she was her sister.

Soon enough, they left the tell-tale red lights that signaled their home, as Aneko took a sharp turn into an alley as she looked for someplace safe and preferably warm. If not for her, for the more fragile human the cat girl was dragging behind her.

That was when she saw a man walk out of his home. He didn't bother locking the door behind him. It wouldn't be a permanent solution, but it would get them out if the cold for a time, and that's what was important. Once the man was out of sight, Aneko opened the door to the house he had walked out of. It took some coaxing to get yukiko inside, but eventually the warmth won, and Aneko was pleased to see that their was still a fire going in the fireplace. Aneko let out a sigh, as she settled next to the fire with the younger girl.

Yes. This would do for now.

[PheNix]

“Sister, I don’t like this game. It’s scary. What if he comes back?” She snuggled into Aneko’s side as she peeled the cloth off her feet. “I wanna go home but it’s warm in here.” Her speech was slowing as she fought sleep. Eventually, it won and she fell asleep right there on the kitchen floor with her head in the other girl’s lap.

She’d known the Neko her entire life; she might as well have been her big sister. They both certainly acted like it. Which is why, when Aneko suggested they play outside, Yukiko trusted her.

A few hours later, a noise startled Aneko awake. The man had come home and was stirring a pot. She knew him; he’d come to the brothel every month and brought them toys and sweets. He’d always seemed so nice.

"You're awake," he said softly, turning to his two small houseguests. “I’d like to put her on the bed,” he gestured to a mattress with bedding that he’d brought into the room while they slept. “May I?"