Ch12 - A Mother's Love

A mother's love knows no bounds.

Purpura sat in his chair, in Kipsy's shop.
Kipsy was searching around like a mad man.
"I swear, I just had it!" Kipsy shouted, as he tossed things behind himself in his search.
Purpura rolled his eyes, and reached into his pocket.
Pulling out a vial, the liquid splashing about inside.
"Found it!" Kipsy exclaimed.
Purpura put the vial away, and stood up.
Kipsy brought over a map, and laid it on the counter.
He examined it a moment.
"There" he said, pointing to a small town.
Purpura examined the map, but looked unconvinced.
"I'm telling you.
You wanna take this assignment.
The local lord wants these bandits killed.
He's willing to pay per head.
Apparently, the village has had a lot of negative repercussions from hiring guards, or bounty hunters.
Lots of drunkards, or... abuse of the locals.
Nearly worse than the bandits.
So, the lord thinks an assassin might be the ticket.
The lord has also offered you sanctuary, if ever needed.
And has said he's willing to willing to make you his singular contact for these things.
He'd gaining prestige, if you get on the family's good side now...
I can imagine future contracts will come in."
Purpura crossed his arms, still looking unsure.
"Fine, I've got my ace." he pointed to the town nearby.
"I can confirm Black had a kill in this town."
Purpura's interest was peaked.
"It's his first confirmed contracted kill since he disappeared."
Purpura leaned in and stared at the map.
"The contract will give you an excuse to survey the area.
Perhaps find his client, and learn of his ware about."
Kipsy then pulled the map away.
And Purpura growled a little.
Kipsy rolled the map up, "Do you accept the contract?
I need to let the lord know."
Purpura grumbled, before sighing and nodding.
"Perfect. Do get to the town by the end of the week.
Timeliness would get you bonus points."
Purpura took the map, and walked out of the shop.
He walked all the way back to his home.
He paused just before grabbing the door handle.
The door then opened.
Standing in front of Purpura was a neko.
The neko had beautiful light purple hair trailing down their back.
The neko was shorter than Purpura, though the two shared various physical traits.
However the neko's expression was soft, and gentle.
An expression full of compassion and love.
The neko gave a slight gasp, with a smile, "You're home!"
The neko then quickly hugged Purpura, before packing up.
"You're covered in blood.
Oh! Go take a shower, and get changed."
Purpura rolled his eyes, and went into his own home.
The neko closed the door, then hurried to the kitchen.
"You haven't visited in so long. I was worried.
Are you eating properly? Given how clean the kitchen is, I'd say no."
Purpura went downstairs, to shower and change.
The neko stayed up in the kitchen busying away.

After a little Purpura came back up.
Dressed in civilian clothing, plain pants, and purple shirt.
His ears, and tail prominent.
The neko looked to him, "Oh, you look so nice.
I don't see why you insist on hiding your racial heritage.
There's no shame in being a neko."
Purpura sat down on a stool, and the neko quickly put a bowl of food in front of him.
Purpura just stared at it, before sighing and eating.
"Don't sigh like that.
Your fridge is practically empty.
I wanted to make you porridge, like when you were little.
But you don't have any milk.
Which I don't understand. How can you go without milk?"
Purpura pointed to the trash.
And neko hurried over, "Oh, my goodness."
the can was full of empty milk bottles.
"Is that all you consist on?
I knew you weren't eating properly.
I should make you some meals.
Otherwise you'll become skin and bone.
You have to keep up your proper strength."
Purpura got up, having finished and began cleaning the dish.
"Oh! I did bring over some fish, do eat it.
I know you prefer salmon, so most of it is salmon."
Purpura moved and gently kissed the top of the neko's head.
The neko then gave a warm giggle.
"You're right.
You are fully grown.
And you've survived without me.
I just miss having you at home.
The house feels so empty with you and the girls all moved out.
And Luz is getting ready to move out.
Jackob just moved back in.
Poor boy..."
Purpura sat down, watching the neko.
The neko then looked to Purpura.
"Oh, Luz mentioned he'd lent you something."
Purpura reached and picked up the wrist guard with the clock.
The neko gently took it, "Oh, all of you are so talented.
Who knew a mother could be so blessed?
The girls are doing well in their new acting job."
Purpura knew it wasn't really an acting job,
but one child who'd come into a less 'wholesome' career was enough strain for their compassionate mother.
"Then Luz with his telepathy, and time abilities.
Always saving history.
Jackob seems the only one to take after me." the neko finished with a giggle.
The neko sat down, and stared at Purpura with a warm smile.
The room was silent for a long moment.
"Oh my, you must have just come back from an assignment.
You must be exhausted.
I'll stop fretting over you, and let you sleep."
The neko then stood up and moved to the door.
Purpura got up and followed.
"Oh, and please do visit more often.
I know you get busy, but I miss you."
Purpura nodded, and the neko smiled before leaving.
Purpura stood with the door open, watching the neko walk home.
He was concerned for his mother's safety...
But he'd already broken every law of time travel.
He'd lost track of the countless rules he'd likely broken.
He closed the door, and walked towards the downstairs.
In truth, he was mildly surprised the god of time hadn't come to punish him or something.
What was one more infringement, to save his mother's life... again.
He refused to let the world lose someone of such endless compassion and love.