O Paw-ghty Lord

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After breakfast, holding his sister's hand, Orion walked towards the school. The morning sun gently warmed the school's red brick facade, the leaves rustled as students chattered, and the sounds of footsteps merged with the distant ringing of the bell.

Orion's grip on Luna's hand tightened just a tad as the gates of the school came into view. There, waiting with a vigilant gaze, stood Vice-Principal Riza Hawkeye. Her usually stern features seemed softened, her eyes brightening as they caught Orion's.

Upon spotting him, a subtle grin crept onto her face, and she sauntered over with a sense of purpose, the heels of her shoes clicking against the stone pathway. "Orion," her voice was smooth, and it held an undertone that made several of the nearby students, turn to look. "I heard what you did with those bullies last week." a subtle purr tingeing her voice.

"Thank you, Vice-Principal." Orion responded, his posture straight. The corner of his mouth twitched upward, the memories of last week fresh in his mind.

"And?" Riza's eyes narrowed playfully, "Have you claimed your reward from Principal Tsunade?"

A brief flash of a memory—intense, heated moments with Tsunade—flitted across Orion's mind, causing him to grin slyly. "I did."

Riza seemed to catch the unspoken words, her lips curving in response. "Good. Visit me during lunch break this afternoon, so I can reward you as well." The challenge, the hint of mischief in her eyes, was not lost on him.

Getting in the first class of the day, Orion and his sisters took their seats near the window. Sunlight filtered through, casting a warm glow on the desks. The room buzzed with hushed conversations, the murmurs creating a soft backdrop. Luna leaned over, whispering to Aurora about something she had read the previous night. Orion, for his part, adjusted his desk, eagerly anticipating the lecture.

The door swung open, revealing the silhouette of Yoruichi Shihoin, their Philosophy teacher. Wearing her usual form-fitting attire with a playful gleam in her eyes, she began, "Good morning, class!"

"Morning, Ms. Yoruichi!" the class chorused, though some voices carried a hint of a mumble, betraying those who weren't particularly morning people.

Yoruichi smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Today, we continue from where we left off last week." She announced. "While we previously discussed the creation myths of Greek mythology, today, we dive into the creation of humanity… and, of course, cats."

Orion's lips curved in a half-smile, knowing what was coming next. And sure enough, Yoruichi, with a swish of her hair, transformed into her cat form, jumping onto Orion's desk. She glanced up at him, eyes gleaming, before settling onto his lap.

Without hesitation, Orion began to scratch her ear gently, his fingers moving in rhythmic circles. Yoruichi's purrs resonated in the silent classroom, a testament to her comfort. Hinata giggled softly, her fingers covering her mouth, while Levy whispered to Lucy about how adorable the scene was.

"Humanity," Yoruichi began, her voice now deep and gravelly in her feline form, "like cats, has always been inquisitive. Our pursuit for knowledge, for understanding, mirrors the cat's curiosity."

Orion continued to scratch Yoruichi's ears, lost in his thoughts. In many ways, cats truly mirror human behavior. Our shared curiosity, our desire for affection, yet our insistence on independence. Yoruichi's analogies might be playful, but they're rooted in truth.

Yoruichi shifted into her human form, still seated on Orion's lap. The classroom settled into a sort of anticipatory silence. Yoruichi, having transformed back into her human form while still comfortably perched on Orion's lap, smirked. With a quirk of her eyebrow, she raised a hand and gestured to the chalkboard behind her. There, sketched out, were various depictions of gods, humans, and prominently, cats.

"Humanity's creation, as depicted in Greek mythology, is a fascinating tale," Yoruichi began, her fingers tracing the outline of Prometheus, who was shown molding man out of clay. "But let's see how cats fit into the narrative, shall we?"

Luna leaned forward, her earlier reading seemingly relevant. Aurora, next to her, scribbled something quickly on her notepad, glancing up intermittently to ensure she didn't miss anything.

Prometheus, Yoruichi continued, "stole fire from the gods to give to man. But think about it—why would he do that? Humans were initially clueless, much like a kitten stumbling about in a world it barely understands."

Orion mumbled thoughtfully, "Because kittens grow into cats?"

Yoruichi grinned. "Exactly! Like kittens, humans are curious. We grow, learn, and explore. Prometheus saw that potential in humanity, just as we see potential in every stray we take in."

Yuuki whispered to Alice, "So, are we saying that Prometheus was basically a cat person?"

Vivi giggled, while Lucy, next to Levy, tried to suppress her laughter by covering her mouth.

"Think of the gods on Mount Olympus as the elder, more experienced cats, reigning from their high perch, observing the younger ones below. Zeus, the king of the gods, can be seen as the regal, dominant tomcat," Yoruichi mused.

A hand shot up from the back. It was Hinata. "So, the punishments, like Pandora's box... Is that like when kittens get into mischief?"

Yoruichi's eyes sparkled. "Precisely, Hinata. The gods' reactions are just like an older cat swatting a mischievous kitten's nose. Pandora's curiosity mirrors a kitten's intrigue with a yarn ball. Sometimes, the consequences of that curiosity can be, well... a little messy."

The class was engaged, hanging onto every word. The absurdity of the analogy was made compelling by the strangeness of the teacher herself. Yet, every student understood the essence of what Yoruichi was trying to convey.

Nezuko mumbled to Tatsumaki beside her, "I wonder if there's a cat version of Hades."

Before Tatsumaki could respond, Yoruichi continued, "Now, Hades... he's the elusive cat, the one that hides under the bed, only coming out when he wishes."

"Like a Persian cat!" Mizore chirped, earning several nods of agreement.

Yoruichi nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, like a mysterious Persian cat."

Orion, in the midst of all this, felt Yoruichi subtly shift into her feline form again on his lap. Reflexively, he started scratching her ear, getting a soft purr in response.

"The creation of humanity in Greek mythology showcases the dual nature of humans, much like cats. We can be curious yet cautious, loving yet independent, and kind yet fierce when provoked," Yoruichi purred, her tail swishing back and forth.

Ririchiyo whispered to Morgiana, "I've never thought of Persephone's descent into the underworld as her chasing a laser pointer into Hades' lair."

Yoruichi, catching the comment, chuckled, "Ah, young Persephone, entranced by the allure of the unknown, much like a kitten with a fluttering butterfly."

Saeko leaned over to Orihime, murmuring, "I guess that makes Demeter the overprotective cat mom?"

Yoruichi's ears twitched, seemingly catching every whispered comment. "Indeed, Saeko. Demeter's love and protectiveness mirrors that of a mother cat with her kittens."

She then began to delve into the alternative creation stories of Greek mythology. Yoruichi, sitting in her human form on Orion's lap, waved a hand as she spoke. "The Greeks had more than just one story to explain the existence of humanity, much like the myriad of personalities cats have."

Orion, engrossed in her words, subconsciously started to pat her head, his fingers gently massaging her scalp. As he did, he began to rub her stomach with his other hand, lost in the rhythmic movements. He didn't notice Yoruichi's purring, a soft rumble that started deep in her chest, nor did Yoruichi pull away or comment. The other students, however, exchanged knowing looks and suppressed smiles.

"One of the lesser-known tales," Yoruichi began, clearly engrossed in her lecture, oblivious to the gentle touch on her, "is of Deucalion and Pyrrha. Have any of you heard of this story?"

Mikasa, always eager to participate, raised her hand. "It's the Greek version of the Noah's Ark story, right?"

Yoruichi nodded, eyes twinkling. "Precisely. To escape a great flood sent by an angry Zeus, Deucalion and his wife, Pyrrha, were instructed to throw the bones of their mother over their shoulders. This cryptic message was actually a reference to rocks. They threw stones, and these stones transformed into people, repopulating the earth."

Orion's fingers slowed their rhythmic patting, lost in thought. The philosophy behind these myths, the values and fears they reflected, always fascinated him. Each myth was a lens into the collective psyche of an ancient civilization.

Levy whispered to Lucy, "It's like when you see a ball of yarn, and it's just a ball of yarn, but to a cat, it's a toy, a challenge, and a mystery all rolled into one."

Lucy nodded, her eyes fixed on Yoruichi. "It's about perspective, right?"

Winry mumbled to Akeno beside her, "Deucalion and Pyrrha's story... It's like a kitten being given a new chance to play in a world it once destroyed."

Orion's hand, still resting on Yoruichi's stomach, felt the subtle rise and fall of her breathing. Their connection in this moment was unique—a mix of trust and understanding. She spoke of tales thousands of years old, breathing life into them, weaving them with modern allegories and playful analogies.

Yoruichi continued, "There's also the tale of Pandora. Created by the gods as a punishment for Prometheus, she was given a box and told never to open it. Yet, her curiosity, like that of a cat presented with a closed door, got the better of her."

Nezuko leaned into Tatsumaki. "Curiosity killed the cat, right?"

"But satisfaction brought it back," Tatsumaki replied with a grin, watching Yoruichi intently.

Ririchiyo scribbled something on her notepad, then muttered to Morgiana, "Pandora's box could've been a toy mouse for all she knew."

Yoruichi laughed, her voice ringing clear, "Indeed, or maybe a laser pointer! The essence of these myths is to show the balance of life. Hope and despair, creation and destruction, love and hatred—all intertwined, just as in a cat's nature to be both predator and pet."

Orion, still unconsciously patting her head, remarked, "In every myth, there's a duality, just like with cats. They can be loving and comforting, yet unpredictable and fierce."

Yoruichi smiled, her eyes crinkling with mirth. "Exactly, Orion. Just like you, returning kindness with double the measure, yet never letting anyone take advantage."

Alice whispered to Yuuki, "I've always wondered how cats see us. Do they see us as big, clumsy cats? Or something else entirely?"

Yuuki smirked, "Maybe as their loyal subjects?"

Yoruichi caught the comment, chuckling. "Oh, definitely as their loyal subjects. Cats, like the gods of old, see themselves as the true rulers of their domains."

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Yoruichi gracefully stood up from Orion's lap, her cat-like grace evident. "Remember, class, to always be curious, to question, to explore. Be it the world of philosophy or the world of cats."

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