Germany/Germouser (Nekotalia)

You glanced around at the cats milling about the room and just causing general chaos. You decided to check out the kittens first to see if you could find a furry little friend.

You sat in the kitten pen for awhile before you decided to check out the cats. You wanted company, but you didn’t want them to constantly be running around or up your butt. Stepping over the pen, you walked around the room, checking out the cats.

You swore they were all insane. Three cats were ganging up on another; a pair of tabbies were running around the room. A white cat with a blue spot on its head was chasing a fluffy brown cat around.

The lighter of the two tabby cats pounced on its twin, who growled, yowled and attempted to disengage the other. Another cat, slighter bigger than the tabbies, walked over and grabbed the yellowish blonde tabby with orange spots. He huffed and grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and began dragging it away from the other one and towards a quiet corner.

You watched as the bigger one dropped the cat and walked a bit away, curling into a ball and lying down. The tabby rolled to its stomach and scampered over to the bigger cat, promptly jumping on it, much to the other ones irritation. It growled and swiped at the other cat, which ignored it and simply began jumping around it.

You walked over and noted a black bobtailed cat with a white mark that began under his eyes, over his mouth and down the front of his chest. The front of its paws and its little tail was white as well. It was almost the size of a kitten, but you were sure it was a full grown cat.

You slowly approached the trio, the tabby now preoccupied with the black and white cat. The biggest of the three, who resembled a Russian Blue, opened its eyes. They were a brilliant sky blue. The blue eyes locked onto you as you approached.

You squatted down in front of them and the Russian blue stared at you. It was a bit unnerving with the way he watched you. “Hello big guy.” You smiled. The only response you got was the tip of his tail flicking. Suddenly the tabby came through, rolling around with the bobtail and the duo rolled over top of the cat you were occupied with. It jumped to its feet and began loudly meowing at them, almost as if it were yelling.

You couldn’t help but laugh. “I guess you don’t get into trouble huh?” You questioned. He gave a sneeze in response, but it kinda sounded more like a scoff. “You wanna come home with me?” You asked, watching as he looked at you, seemingly thinking about it.

“I’d like a companion cause it gets lonely at my house since it’s just me living there.” You explained before adding, “I’d like a cat, but I don’t want my house wrecked when I come home.” After you finished explaining yourself, you felt rather idiotic. Here you were, talking to a cat. A cat. You were just glad Sofia wasn’t around to see it.

You wanted to laugh when you saw a look of concentration on his furry face. You slowly brought your hand to his head and he eyed it wearily. Slowly you brought your finger under his chin and used it to start lightly scratching and rubbing his chin. You saw his eyes widen comically in surprise before slowly closing as he let out a deep rumble-like purr.

His two companions of earlier trotted over and stared at him. He mustn’t purr too often. “That’s Ludwig.” Sofia’s sudden voice caused you to jump and stop the attention you were giving to the big guy in front of you. “Ludwig?” You questioned. “It’s German. His old owner was from Germany and used to be a soldier.” She asked, watching as you began to reach for the cat again. He watched you a bit, but when he realized what you were going to do, he stretched his neck out a bit, wanting you to rub his chin again, but not wanting to be so open about what he wanted. Giggling a bit, you once again stroked under the cat’s chin. “His master got married two years ago, but the wife didn’t like the cat. She never liked how he was always so affectionate with her husband.” “She was jealous of a cat?” You questioned, disbelieving. “Yeah. She started making up all these stories about how he went psycho once his owner left. She’d destroy the house and make it look like Ludwig had done it and plant evidence.” “Poor guy….” “His person had him since he was a kitten. Because of that, he didn’t believe her at first, but he noted that when Ludwig was out of the house with him, it’d be fine. Every time the cat was left alone, the house would be destroyed. In the end he couldn’t take it anymore. He told him he was taking him to visit military animals, and instead he gets dumped here.” “So he was betrayed.” You muttered sadly.

His story broke your heart. He’d been with his old owner since he was a kitten, and for the man to believe his wife, lie to him and just leave him here? You couldn’t imagine doing something like that to any animal.

“He hasn’t purred since we received him” She stated, smiling a bit as she thought of how he was purring away when you were doting on him. At least now you understand why he was so wary with you. He was afraid of getting attached and abandoned again.

“Ludwig.” You started, watching as the cat’s ears flicked at his name and he slowly opened his eyes, staring at you again. “Would you like to come home with me?” He just stared, his ears going back a bit. “For good, I mean. You won’t be going anywhere else.” He didn’t respond except for his tail starting to swish lightly as his ears returned to their normal position. “C’mon then, let’s go home.” You urged, opening your arms a bit.

You were highly shocked when he got up and walked over to you, allowing you to scoop him up in your arms.

Sofia held the door open for you since your arms were full of cat. She scampered off to get the paperwork while you bought the necessities and a few toys. You got the feeling that he didn’t play much, but that he’d probably enjoy it when he did.

You set everything down on the counter as Sofia began ringing them up while you read through the papers and signed them.

“I’ll be back.” You told Ludwig as you carted everything out the front door to the car. You missed the expression on his furred face, but it clearly read that he didn’t believe you. When the bell rang a couple minutes later, he looked up, mildly surprised to see you returning. He was even more surprised when you picked him up and carried him out into the passenger seat of your car.

The drive home seemed shorter than usual and before you knew it you were home and setting all the cat things up while Ludwig explored the house, seemingly checking for any threats.

~time skip three months~

You’d gotten Ludwig a little over three months ago. He’d opened up a lot more since when you’d first brought him home, but he still couldn’t seem to lose his soldier persona. If you were sprawled across the couch reading, he’d hop up onto your lap and lay there while you read, mindlessly petting him on occasion. He rarely purred, or meowed for that matter, unless you were petting him or stroking his chin or jaw, or just running your hand down his back. Thankfully he didn’t get dirty often, but when he did he was a blessing to bathe. Sure, he hated it and often acted like you were sending him to the electric chair when you set him in the tub, but he didn’t freak out and try to slice you to ribbons in an attempt to escape either.

You also began to realize that although he acted big and bad, he sometimes wanted attention. He’d never outright try to paw at you to get to play. He was more subtle. He’d usually sit somewhere near you with some kind of toy or a laser-pointer. When he knew you weren’t looking, he’d start pawing at it until you looked. If you didn’t pick it up and start playing with him, he’d keep pawing at it until you did. However, if you questioned him on if he wanted to play, he’d huff and turn his head. You found him adorable and couldn’t believe his master just gave him up so easily!

You loved this cat to pieces!

Usually. Today was not one of those usual days. “Ugh!” You groaned, tossing the dead bird into the garbage along with the rubber gloves. Ludwig would often go out for an hour or two in the mornings and as of late, he liked coming home with some kind of dead thing in his mouth. Now, this wouldn’t be too much of a problem if he just left them in the driveway or something. No, instead he leaves them on the front porch for you to step on, or in the house, and once directly on your chest. Needless to say when you wake up with a dead chipmunk on your chest, the day can officially not get any worse. You’d yet to yell at him for anything up until that point. Scold, yes, reprimand, no. You turned on the cat, who stood in the doorway and shouted about how you didn’t like waking up to dead things on your chest and that it was disgusting and unsanitary and a whole list of other things. During your whole rant Ludwig sat in the doorway, taking it.

When you finally ran out of steam, you took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen to get a pair of gloves before coming back in and disposing of the rodent. Thankfully it was garbage day. As you gathered your clothes for a-much needed- shower, you paused, bent and petted him, which surprised him. He wasn’t expecting you to make up with him so quick.

“Ludwig!” You called in annoyance. Said cat looked up from his cat food, chunks of wurst in it (ever since you’d gotten him, he wouldn’t eat any cat food unless you cut up pieces of wurst and tossed it in there too. Spoiled). “You have got to stop bringing dead birds and rodents! Try brining in something nice, like flowers, or even rocks! Just nothing that moves or once had a heartbeat.” You explain, going to get ready for work.

~time skip~

Your coworkers had gotten a kick out of you waking up to a dead thing on your chest. After they’d gotten done gagging at the gross gesture. “Act of affection my foot.” You muttered, driving home. Some of your friends had spoken up and said that him bringing you dead animals was an act of affection. You failed to see how dead animals said ‘I love you’.

Shortly after you pulled into the driveway, got out and unlocked your door before stepping inside. The first thing you’d noticed was that there were small muddy paw prints leading from the basement where the cat door was located into the living room, where Ludwig sat(on the floor thankfully). You cleared your throat and the cat turned to look at you before turning back around and grabbing something before padding over to you.

In his teeth were a couple of dandelions. He dropped them at your feet and stared at you. “Awwww. Thanks Luddy!” You cooed, bending down to pet his head as well as pick up the ‘flowers’. Technically they were weeds, but you appreciated them a lot more than the animals. He huffed, trying to play off the sweet gesture. “Next time wait till it’s dry out though, okay?” You asked, gesturing to the paw prints on the ground.

The dirty floor ruffled his fur, so he went into the kitchen, got a dish towel and plopped it over the mess before nudging it around with his head. It didn’t do anything, but you thought it was adorable. While he was preoccupied, you took out your camera and snapped a picture before he could do anything. He looked irritated that you’d snapped a picture, but you really couldn’t help it! He shouldn’t be all ‘macho-fluffy kitty’ and you wouldn’t take so many!

You finally wet the washcloth and wiped up his unintentional mess. “You’re a good cat Luddy. I wish your old owner could have seen that.” You mused, before shaking your head. “Actually, I don’t. I’m glad you’re my cat.” You stated, carting him over to the couch with you. You flopped onto it and picked up your book, intent on finishing. Ludwig crawled into your lap and began to purr, which surprised you a bit, seeing as how he never initiated it without you paying him attention first. You smiled and scratched behind his ears before cracking your book open.

Later that night, you were woken by a head butting into yours and a paw pawing at your face. Groaning, you woke up, only to grab the cat and roll onto your side, cuddling him. The action had him meow in surprise, and you could only chuckle sleepily. “I think its bedtime Luddy.” You stated, slowly getting up despite your body which screamed ‘sleep here’.

You got up and turned everything off before heading upstairs, slipping off your socks as you did so. Ludwig trailed behind you, socks dangling from his mouth. He headed into the bedroom while you brushed your teeth, hair and pulled it back into a ponytail. When you came into the room you saw your cat struggling to lift your work pants into the hamper. You walked over and tossed them in for him, but apparently he hadn’t noticed you, because he hadn’t let go. Needless to say, Ludwig ended up in the hamper too. “Oh! Sorry Luddy.” You responded, laughing when the cat popped his head out from the clothes, the end of a pant leg dangling off his head and ruining his whole look of irritation. He huffed as you picked him up and set him on the bed.

You were still giggling as you changed into your sleepwear for the night; a tank top that showed your midriff and a pair of panties. Normally you wore some form of bottoms to bed, but the nights have been so muggy lately it was impossible to sleep with almost any clothing on. However, you refused to sleep naked, so going without your pants was your best bet.

~time skip~

Ludwig woke that morning to find you rushing around the house like a lunatic. You’d forgotten you were supposed to meet your coworker early that morning so you could hang out off the clock. “I’ll be home later Luddy! There’s extra food in your bowl. Be good, love you~!” You called, slamming the door and running down the drive way before pulling out and speeding away.

You two were going to head out of town and do a bit of shopping at the mall. She’d mentioned a small crafts store, where for only fifteen bucks, you could make your own……..well, whatever you wanted! Within reason, of course. You enjoyed crafts and would often make necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings to sell for a bit of pocket change. Poor Ludwig was usually the model.

You arrived at the parking garage to find her already waiting, a donut and small container of milk in her hands. Obviously she knew you’d be running late. Quickly tossing everything in your purse and slinging it over your shoulder, you locked the doors before shutting your own, taking the food and drink from her as you both slid into her car. “Rough night?” She asked, pulling away and heading out of town. “Not really. I fell asleep reading and Ludwig woke me up hours later. I turned everything off, changed, did my business in the bathroom and went to bed.” You replied.

The two of you chatted the whole way there, deciding to do the crafts thing first. She chose what she wanted to do right off the bat but you could only stare at the given materials before something caught your eye. Grinning, you grabbed all the things you’d need and set to work.

~time skip~

It was well after midnight when you pulled into your house. You stuffed your little project in your purse, meaning to surprise Ludwig with it later, and headed up the porch. You grabbed the knob and intended to get your keys, but it wasn’t necessary. The door swung open on its own. You were a bit startled, since you knew you locked it, but you brushed it off and headed inside.

Nothing seemed off, so you put the unlocked door to the back of your mind. “Ludwig, here kitty kitty~” You called, figuring he’d be in your bedroom, curled up on your bed. Sometimes you wondered why you bought him a kitty bed, since he never used it.

When you didn’t see your feline walk into the living room, you knew he was upstairs and headed for the steps to wake him up. Before you ascended the first step, however, something caught your attention. Literally.

Namely it was the hand wrapping itself around your mouth and the knife to your throat. Someone was breathing in your ear and you heard they whisper, “don’t make a sound. I’ll make this quick if you behave.” They ended it with a lick to your ear, making you shutter in disgusted.

You nodded as best you could and felt the knife move away some. “Good girl.” They purred before backing up with you to the couch, which you were tossed on. Before you could do anything they were on you, touching, licking and ripping your clothes.

He’d already discarded his own pants as well as your shirt. The situation finally sunk in when he started reaching for your pants.  You started screaming.

You screamed, thrashed, hit and kicked. Anything you thought would get you away from him. You weren’t stupid; you knew where this was going. He was going to have his way with you, kill you (probably painfully and slowly) and then rob you. “Shut UP bitch!” He demanded, slapping you across the face.

While your small fight for freedom hadn’t earned anyone barging into your house to rescue you, it did earn you something else. A small noise at the top of the steps that couldn’t be heard by neither you nor him. The man once again resumed touching you and the noise grew closer and louder.

It was as he was finally reaching for your pants once again that something happened. The noise, which was a low hum you paid no heed to (after all, you had other things to focus on at the moment), finally made itself known.

With the loudest, angriest yowl you’ve ever heard, a blue blur hurled itself onto the attacker’s shoulders, clawing, scratching and biting anywhere it could reach. It was Ludwig. He’d heard the commotion and woke up to see what was going on.

The man stumbled away, flailing his arms in an attempt to grab the feline. He got hold of Ludwig’s tail and pulled, dislodging the cat with a painful yowl and tossing him away. Being a cat, Ludwig landed on his paws. His fur was fluffed out and standing on end while he arched his back and growled. The assailant raised his knife and the two simply had a stare off. A silent signal must have gone off, because at the same time they rushed each other. Ludwig flew into the air just as the man’s knife came down.

Hearing your cat’s painful cry, you finally got your butt into gear and forced your body to move. You made it to your purse and quickly dialed the three numbers you knew would send help. When you got someone on the line you told them your address and explained that the man was going to kill you both. “ma’am, I’m going to ask you to stay on the lin-“ you’d snapped the phone shut. Probably not the smartest move, but at the moment you weren’t thinking clearly. Your only thoughts were of whether or not that man had killed your kitty.

You snuck over to your closet and grabbed the aluminum bat and began stalking around your house. You froze when you noticed bloody cat prints leading to your basement. You’d heard cats often wander away from home to die alone. Given the circumstances the only place Ludwig would go is the basement.

As quickly as you could, you raced down the stairs, heart in your throat. When you reached the bottom you found the man standing over your cat, who was bleeding all over the place. His knife was poised to finish him off. “Like hell!!” You shouted, raising the bat and swinging it into his head. He hit the floor with a hard and heavy thud.

You watched him for a few moments, determining if you should nail him a few more times, just to be safe. A pitiful “meow….” Quickly made up your mind for you. You felt tears blur your eyes as the sound reached your ears. Ludwig never meowed. You quickly headed over to him, ignoring your ill-dressed state.

You carefully picked up the bloody mess that was Ludwig and cradled him in your arms, crying. Your tears mixed with his blood and fur and slowly got onto your body, but you didn’t care. You vaguely registered police storming the house and rushing into the basement. One of them draped their jacket over your shoulders.

You didn’t pay attention to any of them. You didn’t care that two of them were trying to ask questions as to what happened and what was in your arms. You didn’t care that your house was probably a wreck. Hell, you didn’t even care that the sicko was being carted out in cuffs. You just sat on the cold cement floor, rocking back and forth while you cuddled your dying cat, unable to stop crying.

You wanted to bash that man’s head in. Ludwig had sacrificed his life for yours, and you wanted to repay the man the favor by taking his. The furry mass was taken from you and carried upstairs. That was the first any of the policemen had seen you react since they’d arrived probably ten minutes ago. You started screaming and trashing, desperate to get back to your feline. You were pretty sure you nailed a few of the cops, but you could hardly care about that.

Instead of allowing you to go with your cat, they took you in an ambulance and to the hospital. They gave you a clean bill of health, but opted to keep you there overnight for observation. The next morning a female police officer showed up with your change of clothes that you usually kept in your car and your purse. After changing, she and her partner escorted you to the station to recount what had happened.

By now you just wanted to go home, clean the mess up, curl into a ball and cry your eyes out. It was almost 6pm and you’d already told them everything you knew about what had happened. Apparently when you got to Ludwig coming to your rescue they were shocked, not believing that aside from your blow to his head, a cat had stopped a full-grown man with a knife.

“He must have really loved you, to fight like that.” A young policeman stated, looking at you with pity. All you did was nod, fighting back a fresh wave of tears.

You didn’t notice when three other officers entered the room. It was the lady who’d helped you change at the hospital and the two you met last night and spoke with most of the time you were here. Another joined them, but you paid them no heed.

 A meow had you snapping your head up so fast they thought you might had given yourself whiplash. There, cradled in the arms of one of the officers laid Ludwig. He was mummified with bandages, but alive. “Luddy!!” You bolted from your seat and quickly but gently took the cat from you, who immediately started purring.

You walked over and carefully set him on the table. “I’ve got something for you.” You stated, grabbing your purse and pulling out what you’d made two nights ago. It was a ribbon in the colors of the German flag, with a German iron cross on it. Carefully you secured it around his neck. He shook his fur out and stared down at it.

“You really are the best cat I could have asked for, Ludwig.” You stated, bending to his level and planting a kiss on his head. He looked a bit flustered, but nonetheless nudged his head into yours and let out a quiet purr.