Work Text:
Johnny Cage was convinced of two things.
First: Takahashi Kenshin was perfectly capable of getting around the house on his own.
Second: Rocket, the most shameless orange cat on the planet, was trying to steal his job.
It had started about a week ago.
Rocket had developed a strange habit: whenever Kenshin got up to walk somewhere, the cat would appear out of nowhere, position himself in front of him, and start walking slowly while letting out little meows.
“Meow.”
Step.
“Meow.”
Another step.
“Meow.”
And so on until they reached their destination.
The first time, Johnny thought it was a coincidence.
The second time, a funny accident.
By the tenth time…
“He’s plotting against me.”
Kenshin tilted his head from where he was sitting at the kitchen table.
“Who?”
“The cat.”
Rocket, currently enjoying head scratches, looked up with the most innocent expression imaginable.
“Meow.”
“See that?” Johnny pointed accusingly. “That is the face of a criminal mastermind.”
Kenshin laughed softly.
Rocket immediately rubbed his head against Kenshin’s hand.
Traitor.
⸻
That afternoon, Kenshin decided to go to the living room.
Rocket appeared instantly.
As usual.
“Meow.”
Johnny folded his arms.
“There he goes again.”
Rocket started walking ahead of Kenshin.
“Meow.”
Kenshin smiled.
“He’s here.”
“I know.”
“Meow.”
Rocket continued forward.
Then he carefully went around a backpack Johnny had left in the middle of the hallway.
Kenshin followed the sound and adjusted his path.
“See?” Johnny complained. “He’s being dramatic.”
Rocket turned his head.
“Mrrrp.”
“Don’t talk back to me!”
The cat continued walking.
Kenshin was already laughing.
⸻
The worst part was that Rocket seemed to take his job very seriously.
A chair slightly out of place?
“Meow.”
A box left on the floor?
“Meow.”
A jacket Johnny had dropped in the hallway?
“MEOOOOW.”
“Hey! Stop judging me!”
Rocket judged him anyway.
Constantly.
⸻
One evening, Johnny decided it was time to reclaim his position.
When he saw Kenshin leave the bedroom, Johnny hurried to his side.
“Come on, K. I’ll guide you.”
Rocket appeared immediately.
The two of them froze.
Staring at each other.
Johnny.
Rocket.
Rocket.
Johnny.
“No.”
“Meow.”
“No.”
“Meow.”
“This is my job.”
Rocket sat down.
Completely unmoving.
As if waiting for Johnny to finish embarrassing himself.
Kenshin had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing.
⸻
Eventually Rocket stood up and started walking.
Johnny grumbled while following behind.
“I can’t believe I’m competing with a cat.”
“I think you’re losing.”
“Thank you for the emotional support.”
“You’re welcome.”
⸻
When they reached the living room, Rocket suddenly sped up.
“Where’s he going?” Johnny asked.
Rocket jumped onto the couch.
Then he turned around and let out a proud meow.
“Meow!”
Kenshin reached out.
The soft cushions.
And then—
Johnny.
“Oh,” Kenshin said.
Rocket had led him directly to the couch where Johnny was sitting.
Johnny blinked.
“Did he do that on purpose?”
Rocket curled up proudly between them.
As if the answer should have been obvious.
Kenshin burst into laughter.
Warm, genuine laughter that filled the entire room.
Johnny couldn’t help smiling at the sound.
“Well…” he admitted at last. “Maybe he is a pretty good assistant.”
Rocket purred in satisfaction.
Kenshin stroked the cat’s fur.
Then he found Johnny’s hand and intertwined their fingers.
“Don’t worry.”
“Hm?”
“Rocket can be my guide.”
Johnny smiled.
“And me?”
Kenshin squeezed his hand gently.
“You’re my favorite person.”
Rocket let out an offended meow.
“Meow!”
“See?” Johnny laughed. “He’s jealous.”
Rocket immediately climbed onto Kenshin’s lap, determined to reclaim all available attention.
And even though Johnny continued insisting for weeks that the cat was trying to replace him, everyone knew the truth.
Rocket might be the professional guide.
But Johnny would always be the destination Kenshin wanted to reach most.