73 His Friends (6)

The rest of the check-up passed in no time. The vet didn't do anything that could put Iris on edge, and she survived the vaccination as well. The needle went in somewhere on her back, around the area of her neck, and it didn't hurt whatsoever. She actually didn't even feel it.

When the woman stepped away, Iris even turned her head to sniff the place but could sense nothing. Was this really it? What had she been worried about then? While Kyro talked about some extra stuff with the vet, she stepped into the carrier, like a well-behaved pet. It was all calculated, of course; she wanted to go back home right away.

At the counter, to Iris' horror, Kyro remembered his previous thoughts. He got a collar and a leash as well as some toys. There was a chance all of it was for Lucifer, but she had her doubts about that. She didn't know for how long Kyro had had the cat, but it couldn't be a few months. That monster was no kitten, and they were as comfortable with each other as those who've spent years together.

'You're not putting those things on me,' she told him seriously, but he only glanced at her and returned to paying for everything. 'Come on, I haven't agreed to this!'

"Shh, we're almost done," he promised her as they left the clinic. His car wasn't far, and they were soon driving home. Iris sat in the carrier, sulking. If he thought she was going to be accepting of this, he had another thing coming for him.

While on the way, Kyro received a call, some woman telling him that some guy Iris didn't know showed up and was looking for him. Kyro told the woman to stall him and that he'll be there in twenty minutes.

'Twenty minutes? Is his workplace that close to home?'

Apparently, that wasn't the case. He left the car in an underground garage, his window slightly open so she'd have air to breathe, and got off. Without a word, he just stopped the car and left.

Iris lay frozen for a moment, not believing her eyes. Was he serious? The fact that she could no longer see him probably meant that yes. His footsteps were rapidly getting away, until she could no longer hear them after he got into an elevator.

Screaming wasn't going to help, so she closed her eyes and relaxed. This was the last straw. His life was forfeit now. She was glad that he looked for her when she so foolishly ran away, but this was a step too far. Leaving your pet alone in the car? 'No, friend, you don't do that to me. At least not without saying a word and just rushing away.'

Kyro returned in a couple hours. His steps were quick and he first came to check up on her, but her heart did not waver. She had come up with the perfect revenge, and it was going to be executed today. Right around the evening.

When they returned home, Kyro gave her some fresh insects, and she ate some, but not all—they still didn't sit well with her. For a better tasted at the end, she got a couple blueberries, and these she finished with gusto.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, stroking her head when she was about to leave. "You seem down." His voice was gentle and caring, and she almost felt guilty for what she was about to do, but not enough to change her mind.

Then, as if to make sure she didn't, he took out the collar. It was light brown, matching her fur, but she gave no damn about that. It wasn't going on her.

She stopped suddenly. What was the point of trying to run if he was going to win anyway? It wasn't like she could seriously change his mind. If he wanted her to wear the collar, then she'd have to wear it. Then wouldn't it be better to just let him put it on her but make sure it wasn't too secure? If that happened, she could take it off when she wished and throw it away while he was not home.

With such a decision, Iris allowed Kyro to put the collar on her. It was so embarrassing her whole body trembled with a need to just disappear, but she forced herself to remain still. The vision of her tearing that collar to shreds helped her with it.

Once he was done, she whined as if the collar was too tight, pretending to find it hard to breathe. Kyro looked unconvinced, but he did relax the collar a bit.

"Is that better?" he asked, watching her move about.

She considered saying it was still too tight, but then decided he would probably catch onto her plan if she pushed it any farther. Thus, she moved about, scratched a bit at the collar, but soon put it out of her mind and acted like nothing had happened.

The act was convincing enough, since Kyro relaxed and didn't question her about it anymore. He reached for Lucy instead, who swatted at his hand, just like he'd done when Iris had come over. Kyro was unperturbed, however. He poked the sleeping monster, tugged at his tail, jabbed his paws.

Lucy meowed loudly and jumped at Kyro like a giant black bat. Terrified by the sight, Iris jumped off the sofa and ran to hide behind the flower pots, but Kyro just laughed. He caught the cat and ruffled his fur like there was no tomorrow.

The two played like this for a while, and soon Iris came closer to watch them. In time, she joined them, and the day passed in the blink of an eye. Evening arrived, and Iris heard the call for revenge. After an easy-going day like this, she had almost forgotten about her plans, but in the end… she decided to go through with it anyway.

'It's for leaving me alone without a word, and the vet without a warning, and the collar I did not agree with,' she told him, even if he didn't understand.