Compromise

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Shiraume

Ink Burns

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

This is a work of fanfiction, produced according to the principles of transformative fair use as put forward in US copyright law, and abiding by the custom and practice of fan-produced work in Japan, where the source texts were created. No author is in any way affiliated with any of the creators of the source texts, nor with the companies who distribute their products, nor any other rights holder, and these stories were not authorized by either the creators or the producers. Ink Burns is a fan site and the material here is freely provided for the enjoyment of fellow fan-community members; there is no commercial infringement.

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Published on 2005-01-07 19:53:48.

Attributions can be made by author's name and a link to the archive.

This ebook edition was published on May 16, 2012 by the Ink Burns fanfiction archive.

Compromise

Karupin has some issues with Ryouma's new realm. Humor, I-1

Echizen Ryoma had two loves in his life. (Actually, he had three, though he would never admit it, at least not until the said third love stopped playing so damned hard to get.) Anyone from the Seishun Senior High tennis club could tell you the first one: tennis. Any of them could also tell you the second: his cat. So no one said anything when Karupin started to tag along on some of their practice days.

It was one of those days, and everyone was changing in the clubhouse. Fuji was asking how Echizen's afterlife recruitment plan was going.

"Fine. I think the mansion's tennis courts will be finished ahead of the schedule. I'm thinking about adding another tennis center in the south." Echizen sounded satisfied, and Fuji nodded.

"Are you adding any gardens to Sampras?" Fuji asked, and Karupin suddenly tensed, letting out a low hiss. A few seconds ticked by, and Karupin remained tense.

"Your cat doesn't look very happy," Fuji observed mildly.

"He's been doing that a lot lately," Ryoma replied, irritated.

"Are you going to take him with you to Sampras when - " Fuji started, only to be stopped by a sharp hiss. Fuji closed his mouth, stared at the cat for few moments, then continued. "As I was saying, when you go to Sampras - "

Karupin screeched shrilly, every hair raised on his arched back. Fuji's lips twitched briefly.

"I think I know what's wrong with your cat."

"What?" Ryoma sounded exasperated, as he carefully stroked Karupin's back, trying to calm him down. It didn't seem to be working.

"Echizen, I think your cat's angry because you didn't name your place after him."

"Huh?" Ryoma turned to look at Fuji, a dumbfounded expression on his face.

"He does that every time you mention 'Sampras,'" Fuji said cheerfully as Karupin hissed sharply. "See?"

Ryoma turned his attention back to Karupin, who looked ready to bite off his hand, and considered something briefly.

"How about a compromise?" Ryoma asked. Karupin twitched his tail skeptically. Ryoma leaned closer to the cat, and started to talk.

Land of Sampras, many years later

"Welcome to Karupin Mansion, sir," the Grigori at the door said. The man nodded. In his arms, a spotted Himalayan mewed smugly.