Archive of Our Own ^beta

Bandit trudged through the foggy and cold forest, his beloved cat named Justin trailing behind him.

A twig snapped somewhere to his right. Sword ready to be drawn at any moment the raccoon whirled towards the sound, ready to pounce.

He had come across too many robbers to not expect them.

What he did not expect to see though was a dabloon cat about a head taller than him holding his arms up in a surrendering way.

“I mean you no harm!’ they exclaimed.

Not letting his guard down, Bandit gave the other a skeptical look.

“Who are you?” he demanded, backing up slightly but keeping up his threatening stance.

“That is something I do not wish to share. But I must ask you for a favor.” he said, also backing up.

The cat seemed to be protecting something behind him. That wasn't a very good sign.

He glanced behind the cat for a brief moment before his eyes returned to the face of the older cat.

“It depends,” he said. The first rule of doing favors was to never promise anything until you knew you could do it. It was common knowledge.

“I need you to look after my kitten please. With inflation worsening and robbers more frequent, i cant afford to take care of them anymore.” he pleaded.

The raccoon let out a surprised chitter, not expecting that of all things.

The other continued his pleas, “they are very well behaved and almost never speak. I beg of you.”

The raccoon thought for a moment, looking down at the other leg to see a small black kitten clutching their fathers pant leg, looking up at Bandit with round yellow eyes.

If he left this father with his son, they both would surely starve or be killed by muggers. If he took this small kitten along with him on his journeys, they both would have an easier time during the upcoming purge.

“Fine.” he said, not missing the way the small kitten clutched their fathers pants even tighter.
The cat gave him a grateful smile, pushing the poor thing closer to the raccoon, whispering promises and reassurances that both of them knew were false.

The raccoon gently scooped up the kitten and hid them under his cloak to keep them warm.

“Thank you” the father said, tears threatening to spill.