~Chapter Four : Betrayal~
~Start~

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~Tsukino Natsuki~

"Everyone~! I bought the things we left~!" I said, happily as I ran towards the group of friends under the shade of a giant tree. Me, and my friends have decided to go on a picnic today on top of a hill, or more like, I forced them to go on a picnic with me. The view is amazing on the top of this hill and the weather is sunny and refreshing, so why not go on a picnic at a fine weather like this?

One of my friend, Kibe Tokaji. "Geez...Natsuki, you're so energetic at a weather like this...Do you even get tired or atleast, feel hot?" He sighed as he leaned his back over the giant tree, lazily. "I feel like I'm going to die in this heat..."

"H-Hang in there, Tokaji-kun!" A shy voice coming from Yamazaki Sachi exclaimed. She blushed as she tried her best to wave the fan up and down at him. "T-This is Natsuki-kun's idea, after all! Once you get used it, you'll end up liking it! Just like the other plans Natsuki-kun made!"

I giggled at her, she has a crush on Tokaji for awhile now and it's pretty obvious. However, that Tokaji is far too oblivious to even understand her feelings. But then again, we are still young after all, I mean, we're already ten years old so... "Are you sure about that, Sachi?" Murayama Masami said. "Natsuki's ideas always ends up getting us all in trouble and always getting scolded by the adults. I kinda don't trust his plans anymore..."

"Ehehehe..." I nervously laughed as i scratched the back of my neck. As expected of Masami, he doesn't like getting involve in any trouble."Sorry about that..."

Suddenly, someone placed their hand on Masami and my head quite roughly. "Now, now, don't be a killjoy, Masami!" An energetic voice said from behind us, we looked and saw the last member of our little group of friends, Hyuuga Yui. You could say, she's the leader of our group. "Admit that Natsuki's ideas are actually fun~! Come on, don't be a tsundere~"

Masami blushed and slightly pushed Yui away from him. "Stop that!" He yelled. "What is a "Tsundere" anyway!?"

"Eeh? Don't you watch anime?" Yui pouted. "Basically, Tsunderes are those kind of people that is harsh on the outside but actually is very nice on the inside!"

"That sounds like a troublesome kind of person and it doesn't make sense on why they want to hide their true emotions like that." Masami said.

"Because Tsunderes have a strong pride! Strong Pride!" Yui yelled.

Suddenly, Tokaji covered his mouth as he tried to stop a laugh. "Kinda like Masami..." He muttered, but still loud enough to reach Masami's ears.

As Masami turned to glare at Tokaji, Yui placed her hand on his shoulder roughly. "Well, enough bickering everyone, we didn't came here to argue now, right?" She said. "We came here to have fun and have a nice picnic! Just like what Natsuki said!"

Yui smiled at me and the others look like as if they all agree. I smiled back at them and continue to fix the stuff for this fun picnic we want it to be.

I'm Tsukino Natsuki and I'm a cat boy, ten years old. I don't have an owner but I decided that I don't need it. As long as I have my friends I don't need an owner.

They provide me my shelter and food, their parents are nice too. They found me when I was an abandoned kitten about 5 months ago, ever since then, the four of us have been together, having fun and having each other's always.

That's right. This is where I belong. I don't need a master. I have friends with me.

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"Hey, Natsuki!" I heard Yui from a far. "You've better not eating those fish in th pond!"

I pouted and turned to where her voice came from. "I'm not! I would never do that!" I argued

Yui ran towards me and to my side before giving a chuckle. "Alright, alright." She said. "But hey, Natsuki come to the picnic area! We're going to show you something cool!"

"Okay." I said as I stood up and followed her to the main area.

We arrived and we sat down on the cloth layed in the grass. Sachi turned to us and smiled. "Shall I show it now, Yui-chan?" She asked.

"Yeah, I think Natsuki is worthy to know about this, since he became part of our group not long ago." Yui said.

"Okay." Sachi said and took out a small wooden box. She opened it revealing four colorful and shiny key chains with beautiful and cool designs, carefully placed inside.

"Woah~" I said in awe. "What are these?"

"These are the famous key chains we four have been saving for three years." Yui said as she carefully took out one. "They're so expensive! Each of these key chains costs so much so be careful with it, alright!?"

Yui then hold out the adorable bunny designed key chain and smiled proudly. "I got this one! I got this as a present in my birthday~!" She explained.

She then pointed to the four leaved clover key chain. "Masami got that one! His parents gave it to him as a present for being the highest in class!"

She then pointed to the flower key chain one. "And Sachi-chan got that key chain! Sachi-chan was so nice and helped out in the school garden, one of the teachers gave her this!"

Finally, she pointed to the last key chain which is a lighting bolt shaped key chain. "And this last one is Tokaji's! His classmates gave him this for being the hope in the sports festival!"

"And that's all, Natsuki! Right now, we're currently saving up money to buy more of these beautiful key chains!" Yui said. "You could say that this four key chain is the symbol and proof of our friendship."

"Whoa..." I said in awe, my tail swaying left and right, unconcsiously. These people have been a lot more closer than I thought they were. "Can...Can I buy a badge and place my own key chain here!?"

Everyone looked suprised. "But, Natsuki, they're crazy expensive, you know that!?" Tokaji said, raising his eyebrow.

"I'll work something out!" I said and smiled. "I want to have a proof of my friendship towards all you as well!"

They all looked at each other, as if having a conversations in their minds that only I don't understand. After a while, they all looked at me, smiling. "Sure, Natsuki." Yui said. "You're part of our group, after all!"

I smiled at all of them, happily as I am content with their answers.

***********

"Ah, everyone!" We all heard Sachi's light voice calling us. "Mom is here to fetch us!"

We all turned to her in disappointment written in each of our eyes. Well, the sun is setting and we need to go home. We all walked towards the car waiting for us in the road.

We all rode the car with Sachi's mom asking us about our day. We individually answered our answers and eventually, the car started driving.

Few minutes have passed and everyone fell asleep. Well, except me, Yui, and Sachi's mom who's driving the car right now. "Hey, Natsuki, you'll sleep in my house today, right?" Yui suddenly asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah, according to my schedule." I said. "Why?"

Yui looked away. "No reason..."

"Okay...?" I blinked at her a little bit out of character response but just shrugged it off.

Suddenly, the ride began to feel bumpy. A little bit too bumpy that everyone who's sleeping woke up and looked panic.

"W-What's happening, mom!?" Sachi asked her mom.

"S-Sorry, the car went a little bit out of control!" She replied.

Tokaji looked at out the window and his face began to turn pale. "A-Are you serious!? What is this!? Where are we!?" He yelled as he backed away from the window, nervously.

We all got curious and looked at the window as well. We all widened our eyes as we saw a cliff just near our car. However, it was too near that one wrong can cause the car to completely fall of the cliff, taking it with us inside.

"M-Mom, how did we end up here!?" Sachi frantically asked, panic is showing on her face.

"The breaks went out for a few minutes and I lost control over it!" She said. "Luckily, it started working again just before we can hit the cliff here."

"Quickly! Everyone, get out of the car!" She quickly ordered us and we immediatly fled the car.

I was the last one to exit the car, however, luck failed me once I took my first step outside. The surface I stepped on gave up and it crumbled, causing myself to fall of the edge. "Wah!" I exclaimed.

Luckily, I hold onto something that can last longer. "Natsuki!" Everyone yelled, worriedly.

"Hold on, Natsuki, I'll save you!" Yui said as she ran towards me, however, it seems the one of the surface she stepped on gave up as well causing herself to trip but didn't fall.

But in that moment that she tripped, the bag behind her back somehow flew open, allowing the stuff inside to scatter all around. A few items from her bag even fell off on the bottom of the cliff.

Even worse, we all widened our eyes in the sight of a familiar wooden box that flew off inside Yui's bag. It was the box where all the key chains were placed. It didn't fell of the cliff, thankfully, however, it landed on the edge of the cliff and the way it moves, it feels like it's indicating it's going to fall off very soon.

Yui gasped horrified but couldn't go to it as she looked at me, struggling. She looked between the stuggling me and the box. Oh no...

"I'll go get the box!" Masami suggested, however, Sachi's mom grabbed him.

"Stay where you are!" She said and pointed to the fragile looking surface, causing Masami back away immediatly.

Yui looked at Masami with panicked eyes and to me and next, to the box. She's troubled, isn't she? Which is she going to save? She's going to pick...Me, right? Since were friends...

I felt the surface I'm holding onto crack and I widened my eyes in panic. "Ngh..." I exclaimed, struggling.

Yui looked at me with painful eyes. What is she waiting for...? I can't hold on much longer...! She looked at the box that is about to fall and looked back at me. I looked at my other friends and I widened my eyes as they were all looking worriedly at the box more than to myself

Just when I thought that she reached out for me, she mumbled a light "I'm sorry" to me, which cause my heart to stop breathing.

Eh...?

Yui neglected me and ran toward the box and saves it just in time before it fell. However, my grip has gotten lose and the surface I'm holding onto finally broke, causing me to fall down in the cliff.

She...Chose the box over me...? They...Chose the box over me...? Their...friend...?

As those questions swirled in my head, everything eventually turned black.

**********

We were so happy earlier.

We were having fun earlier.

We were playing with each other earlier.

We were friends earlier...

But what happened? Why? Why did they chose that non living thing over me? I thought we were friends...?

I limped a step holding my injured hand. It turns out, the cliff isn't that high, however, high enough to scare anyone who dares to jump in it. It's also enough to cause you injuries once you did so. The bottom of the cliff also leads into a forest so here I am now, trying to find my way out of it.

I suffered a few injuries when I landed. I didn't hit my head too hard on anything but I do have some few scratches here and there. My left arm was broken from the impact, and it hurts so much. I also couldn't walk properly, limping step by step. But other than that, no other serious injuries. Except for the fact that I feel a little bit dizzy.

As I continue to limp forward, my mind is still trying to find answers for all the things that happened today. Like, why is everyone so concerned about something that's not living and not someone who is living? Do those key chains really cause thousands for them to be concerned on something like that?

I looked up and saw a road not far from where I am, it was already dark but with myself being part cat, I was able to see it.

I limped towards the road and when I reached the end of it, I leaned over to a tree for support. I panted heavily as I rest and winced at the pain in my left arm.

As I was to step forward once again, I widened my eyes as my leg gave up on me, allowing myself to fall to the cold, hard ground.

I tried getting up but the pain was too much that I can feel myself tearing up. I let myself laying in the ground and began sobbing.

I can't do anything. Right now, I'm powerless, useless, and...I felt betrayed...I'm just here, laying on the ground, sobbing quietly.

I'm scared... I'm hurt.... Am I gonna die here? No...I...

...I don't wanna die here...

As I closed my eyes for a few moments, I hear a sound of a car coming towards me, slowly stopping it's track. It finally stopped and I heard quick footsetps coming out of the car.

I couldn't hear anything but I felt someone moved my body and struggled to open my eyes.

First, it was blurry but after a few seconds, everything has gotten clear. There, above me is a woman with worried look on her face and a man behind her.

They were saying something but I can't hear. All that happened is that the guy carried me bridal style and placed me inside the car. What are they doing?

I struggled to sat up and looked around, then I saw three pairs of eyes staring at me. One green pair, one blue pair, and one red pair. They were all staring at me as the driver began to drive.

"H-Huh...? W-Who..." I asked them.

"Hello. You have some pretty serious injuries, don't worry we'll take you to the hospital." The woman said, smiling at me. "And after that, we'll take you to the police to know where you live."

I widened my eyes. "N-No, I'm fine." I said. "I don't need anything..."

"But you have injuries! We need to take you somewhere that can heal you-!" She said but I cutted her off.

"Please! I really don't need anything! My...My injuries will eventually heal, so please..." I yelled but calmed my voice.

The woman stayed silent for a moment before sighing. "So...Where do you want us to drop you?" She said.

"Can..." I hesitated but continued. "Can I stay here for awhile?"

The woman and the man looked at each other before looking back at me, smiling. "Sure, that's fine with us." She said.

I gave them a slight and fast smile. "Thank you..." I said as I looked down.

~Tachibana Chikage~

As the the car started driving once again, I looked at the injured cat boy. He had a yellow ears and tail, complete with blonde hair. His eyes has the shades of pink.

All of his colors are the opposite of mine, I just realised it.

He doesn't have a collar, just injuries. I wonder what happened to him? Not that it matters to me, I suppose...

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~End~
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A/N :

What I did on this chapter, three months ago :

1.) Wrote the whole chapter four.
2.) Wasn't satisfied and deleted it.
3.) Wrote another chapter four.
4.) Wasn't in the right mind and accidentally deleted it.
5.) Got frustrated and said "I'm done".
6.) Came back and started writing chapter four for the third time.
7.) Tried not to be stupid and published this.
8.) Is really tired.

That's what happened everyone so, please anyone who is complaining about the chapter I'm really sorry! （；＿；）I never wanted you guys to wait for like, three or four months? I don't really remember.

But, anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I just finished my exam so I thought this is the best day to update the story （＾∇＾）I'm so thankful that you guys are still supporting this story even though it's a long time since I posted a chapter...

Please keep reading until the very end~! （≧∇≦）

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**Please Wait Patiently For The Next Chapter, Nya~**