My home

The day went by in a blur as I slept through most of the class. Things like what you should or should not feed your familiar and how to properly clean and groom their fur and scales really didn't interest me in the slightest. I was awoken a few times during this lesson as the teacher requested that the students demonstrate what they learned.

I honestly had to hand it to Kana as she had hands like an angel. It was just too bad that she was still too young for me. Maybe in a few more years, I thought as I drifted into sleep again, imagining Kana as a grown woman.

The next time I woke, the teacher had me in her hands. Opening my eyes, I found myself disappearing into two mounds of soft flesh. I didn't have much time to react as I was hugged tight by the classroom teacher.

As much as I loved it, I couldn't breathe. I fought blindly, clawing for air until I could finally breathe. I found myself still smashed between the teacher's melons and realized that I was poking out of the teacher's shirt.

Seeing nothing wrong with this situation, I snuggled in deeper before giving out a contented sigh. The teacher looked at me with bewilderment and amusement as Kana looked at me with eyes of betrayal. Even so, neither of them did anything to remove me from where I was. Eventually, the teacher just accepted it and absently patted my soft head. It might have been just me, but the action felt stiff.

"Aunt Mel, don't spoil him like that." she pouted. In response, I started to get cozier while letting a small grin play on my face. "Little white, what are you doing! That's inappropriate." I feigned innocence but made no action to leave.

The teacher sighed deeply. "If it bothers you this much" She began, as she tried to pull me back out, I yipped in frustration but without any leverage, I was easily removed. "Here you are," Mel said as she placed me on Kana's shoulder where I slumped deflated. She was evidently still mad at me because she picked me back up and put me down on the ground. Sighing as I was forced to walk. I picked up my pace in order to stay beside Kana down the hall.

"Aunt Mel what did you want to talk about?" Kana asked while they walked.

"Let's just say there is something we need to discuss in private and I think the best place for that is the counselor's office" she quickly looked at me and I tilted my head in curiosity. "Must be my cute charms at work" I grinned as we walked in silence. The students in the halls began dwindling as school was over and I took the time to look at the school and thought while it was simplistic. A fountain surrounded by several mini trees sat close to the start of the running track that seemed to circle the school. It seemed whoever built this place valued utility over all else. I shook myself and ran to catch up.

We eventually made it to the office and that Uncle from the Airship was there sitting in the chair. I don't think I ever caught his name. Kana after seeing him immediately tried to flee but Aunt Mel closed and locked the door, standing guard.

"Now Kana dear please have a seat," he spoke softly but sternly. She complied and the worry in our connection was nearly palpable. I felt like I should do something for her, and before I knew it, I instinctively rushed over to comfort her. I couldn't pat her head like I used to do for my brothers but I could show her I was there at least. I leaped up into her lap and she began to calm down greatly as she felt me in her arms. Kana smiled down at me with genuine gratitude and I felt my heart warm, I looked away shyly as she combed through my hair. "Don't look at me like that" I complained in my head, my ears twitching "It's not fair, now I know how the maids felt. It almost makes me regret everything, almost"

The Uncle and Mel shared a look and they stared at each other for a long while as if communicating silently before he nodded. "Kana I asked you to come here because of what happened earlier this morning" Kana stiffened her genuine fear startling me into action, I stood up looking at the old man baring my fangs as I let out a low growl. This startled the man and I heard Mel draw a hidden weapon in a blink of an eye but Kana had one hand on my chest and the other rubbing my back. Looking at her she shook her head and I noticed the fear wasn't for herself but for me so I reluctantly nodded and laid back down, glaring daggers at the one behind the desk. My tail flicking back and forth in clear irritation. I heard Mel sheath her weapon and the old man left out a dry cough.

"Right as I was saying, I'm here to talk about this morning. You know why I made it a rule for equals contracts to be forbidden and the reason we fear for your safety" The man looked at me briefly "You know that, in the past, the biggest reason for Summoner deaths was the betrayal of their contracted mana beasts" I looked him in the eyes fearless. "Keep talking and I'll bite your tongue out I thought" as he continued speaking

"In many cases, I would have suggested that we ended the contract discreetly" Kana's eyes watered, and sorrow filtered through our connection. I let out a warning growl toward the old man be he pretended not to notice. I wasn't sure what the process would entail but I didn't like the way it made Kana feel "However in this case I might have a solution that works in our favor"

Kana looked up tears threatening to run down her face "And what's that Uncle Walt" Kana asked her voice coming out as a croak, as she tried to stop herself from crying. Deep down, I could feel her fear that somehow her actions might have lead to my death, but I would never go down without a fight. If anything this strengthened my will to live. It touched me deeply to see how much Kana cared for my well-being. In just under a day I feel we went from strangers to family and so far I have been content with our arrangement and her genuine worry just reinforced that feeling.

"Most mana beasts especially one so young would lack the intelligence needed for this. But I get the feeling Little White is much smarter than I originally believed. You see in order for this to take effect, both parties involved have to sign this willingly" The old man pulled out a dusty tomb, the pages yellow with age. He opened up the book to reveal hundreds of contracts signed and sealed with various names and animal prints. He flipped through them until he came across a page filled with clauses and rules. It had two open clauses at the end that could be filled out if needed and the signatures were empty. "This is a magical contract book from before the dark ages of magic. I recovered it from some dusty temple, the templed appeared to be a place used to summon mana beasts back before it became on occupation. Inside this book are contracts that can be signed by two parties to be bound by magic. This magic will uphold the rules and punish the one who breaks it" He pushed it towards Kana who was reaching for a quill before stopping halfway. Her hand shaking, something told me she was scared of the book. I narrowed my eyes at it.

"So you're saying if I signed this then Little White would be allowed to stay by my side? Nothing else?" the man nodded

"If little white also signs with a blood print then I will feel at ease to let you keep him by your side." she nodded and began to reach for the quill. I decided now was a good time as any and I jumped up onto the desk and put a paw on Kana's hand. I shook my head at her as I flicked her with my tail between her eyes. She held her forehead and her eyes stung with tears. "Little white what was that for" she began until she saw that I was tapping on the book's contents. Again both Walt and Mel shared a glace but otherwise didn't stop me. I sat down in front of the old book, the title was faded and illegible. Instead began to read the contents of the contract before me and I was getting angrier by the second. Soon I was growling again, rage in my eyes as I stared daggers at the old man.

Kana was about to stop me but I tapped on the third clause section four. My tails swishing in extreme agitation. She bent over to read what I was pointing at. "The mana beast who signs this contract will forfeit all rights and freedoms associated with an equals contract and will be thus bound by a servents pact and will abide by the will of the owner of the second signature"

As kana began reading, she started to visibly shake, I looked at her with concern in my eyes. A deep sense of betrayal flooding through our link. The old man seeing her reaction began to read the clause and immediately saw his mistake. "Ah, I see, I forgot that this clause was a part of the contract. My apologies. You see when I first saw this book I thought I would be of great use and that.." He started trailing off as sweat started running down his face. Mel who stayed silent this whole time came over to read the contract as well. She frowned as she too glared at the old man. He gulped audibly "This is all just a big misunderstanding." But he was cut off as Mel started speaking with a cold edge in her voice the killing intent in her voice alone made my skin crawl in primal fear. I jumped into Kana's arms and she held me close turning as if to shield me from Walter. "Kana dear please wait outside as I have a word with Walter here about this so-called Misunderstanding." Kana nodded and walked outside carrying me with her.

Soon shouting could be heard echoing down the hall.

"This was for her own good" the man started before getting cut off

"You knew she wouldn't have summoned a Familiar if it was under the servant pact. Was this a part of your plan?"

"A familiar would guarantee her safety. But she would only summon her companion if it was under equal rights!"

"You should have thought about that when you allowed her to summon her familiar. Gods, you know just as well as I do that the thought of that pact sickens her, and damn it, Walter. You brought that accursed magic book here. You know what she's been through and yet you not only tried to push a magical contract onto her you tried to trick her into signing the same pact that cost her, her family."

Silence followed for almost a minute.

"You would be lucky if she ever comes to see you again after this" A loud thud of a chair hitting the floor echoed down the hall before Mel left the office and slamming the door. Kana and I stood there unsure what to do, I was confused by the whole thing but understanding that this was about much more than our pact. "I'm sorry, did you hear all that?" Kana shook her head no but I replied with a yes. "The whole damned school probably heard that," I thought to myself. Mel sighed, "Let me take you home" she motioned for the stairs "Little white? I don't know how intelligently you are but if you so much as harm a single hair on Kana's head I will gut you alive and serve your spleen on a platter. Do you understand?" I paled and nodded vigorously, "Good, then you better take good care of her" Mel's stern look dissipated and she began to stroke my head. "But you did good today, keep that up and maybe Kana will let me hold you again" I scoffed as I put my head around the back of Kana's neck releasing the breath I was holding as if to say "Whatever" Kana looked shaken by the whole thing but remained silent. Her only action was to just hold me closer. This caused me to worry and without a better idea, I nudged her cheek with my snout trying to cheer her up. She gave me a forced smile but I could feel her burdens lighten slightly which made me feel slightly better knowing I helped.

I thought about today and the experiences I had. At first, looking at Kana was like looking at a stranger but the more time I spent with her. The interactions we had, made me feel like I belonged somewhere, loved even and that filled a small piece of me I lost years ago. I don't know how I felt, but for now, I'd rather remain by Kana's side. At least for a while longer.

We reached Kana's home and we went inside. Mel went to the kitchen to cook something and Kana took me to the washroom where she scrubbed us both down till we were spotless. I shook my body flinging water everywhere as I left the bath. Wet fur sucks, it feels so heavy, I looked towards Kana as she dried off. I quickly avoided seeing any more than I already saw. The tips of my ears feeling hot as I felt embarrassed, she was still a girl after all. I snuck out as she got dressed and headed towards the smell of heavenly food.

I found a bowl of raw meat, fish, and greens and I nearly felt sick looking at it. "I would never" I jumped into one of the empty seats at the table instead, the meal was set for two and when Mel wasn't looking I quickly ate everything on her plate before running off towards the bathroom. An angry shout sounded behind me but it was so worth it. Not as good as I was but damn, she could give our old cook a run for his money.

After half an hour of fussing, they ate and Mel headed home. Kana carried me to the bedroom where I snuggled into the bed, Kana using me as a pillow. I wrapped my tail around the top of her head and we drifted into sleep.