Process

by Naitomea

AN: Inspiration comes in many forms.

And for the record, none of the street names belong to me.

It was an ordinary day. A ‘normal’ day if you prefer. Walk home after work. Do homework. Make dinner. Do chores. Then sleep.

It ain’t easy being a high school student living on your own, I’m telling you. I recited the directions to my apartment in my head.

‘Turn left on Carmens Aven....Aww, a kitty.’

I should be damned to have such a short attention span. But I couldn’t help it. It was such a cute stray. With its gray fur and green eyes. What a cute, sweety pie!

“C’mere little kitty. Neko-chan.” I crouched down and beckon it to come forward. But instead, it went farther from me.

“What? You don’t like me? Well, we’re gonna fix that.” I jogged after it hoping that it would stop and come to me.

We were, or I was getting nowhere at this. This kitten seemed to know where it was going. But me? I’m lucky that I don’t get lost in my own apartment!

‘Ugh! Where am I? And who keep their garbage...in an open bag?!’ I unfolded the top of my turtleneck to cover my nose. The stench was overwhelming where I was.

“Meow.” My gaze was directed to the kitten who sat patiently as if it wanted me to follow it again.

“Why...you..!” I started to go after it.

“I thought I told you!” Well, that voice made me stop. It was hard and...scary. I knelt down near the brick wall to hear better.

“Please! Please, sir!” a weaker voice came.

“I don’t take ‘No’ for an answer.” the voice was harder than before.

“NO! Please, no! Please! Have mercy!” My heart when out to the man pleading for life. But I could only hear his cries while the person with him had intended on doing something to him.

“Too late.” I peeked over the side to see what was happening. My eyes widened at the sight I was seeing.

The pleading man was kneeled and the other stood above him with his sword placed upon his nape.

“Get done with it.” the pleading man said gravely.

“Taku Koyama, convicted of treason.” And with that his blade, raised high above his head, came down. I gasped as I watched this horrific event.

I mean. Should he die such a distasteful death? I quickly prayed to Buddha that his soul may cross over to Nirvana.

“Meow.” My eyes opened to see the kitten once again, waiting for me to follow it. My mouth opened to chide it, when someone else’s voice stopped me cold.

“What do you think you’re doing?” The first thing I noticed were his shoes. The were plain, black shoes. And not a drop of blood on them.

“I said, What do you think you’re doing?” The second thing I noticed were his hands. They were rough and calloused.

“You’re testing my patience, woman.” The last I noticed were his eyes. Cold grey showed his emotions, tinged with green. Green, I guess, would be his sanity. If my knowledge of killers in book were correct, there would always have to be a killer with sanity and insanity fighting for dominance.

A blow to my abdomen knocked the wind out of me. I felt dizzy after hitting my head to pavement.

The last I heard was a soft meow and small chuckle.

Damn, am I gonna be in for it.

AN: Gad, it’s been long, yes? I hope you like this one. It took me a long time to get this and the title too. Ooh! Speaking of it..who can tell me where 'Carmens Avenue' came from? I’d be happy if anyone knew...

AN2: My chapters, I guess, are fated to be short. But give me inspiration and reviews; I'll write lots more. Ciao.