Surprise Hidden Amongst the Flowers

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, tree branches swaying in the gentle breeze. Dandelion fluff floated along leisurely through the air, and the sound of cicadas creating summer ambiance. Serena stretched from where she leaned against the willow tree in the park. Sitting out in nature was the best—soul-soothing. A blissful sigh escaped her lips.

The cool shade of the tree saved her from creeping summer heat; it was still mid-morning. The sun would bear down scorching and sweltering by afternoon. Escaping the fiery warmth of the sun would be the perfect time to take a nap indoors. “Lazy summer days were rather enjoyable,” Serena mused.

Serena observed a bumblebee buzzing by languidly as it landed on the nearby daisy flowers. Several blue jays sat amidst the branches overhead, twittering with one another. Serena wasn’t sure how long she remained like that, soaking up her serene surroundings, absorbed in the moment. She closed her eyes, inhaling fresh air.

A rustling in the nearby flowers roused her from her drifting. Curious, she tilted her head, trying to discern what was causing the disturbance. She noticed swishing amongst the marigolds. Serena hoped it was a rabbit—she’d love to make a cute, little bunny-buddy. Creeping ever so quietly towards the rustling marigolds, she hoped not to startle whatever was concealed inside. Holding her breath, not daring to risk scaring the critter away, she approached inch by inch until the marigolds were right in front of her. Peeking through the blooms, a tiny, furry face gazed up at her. Blinking, it cried a squeaky “mew.” Serena’s heart melted into a pile of delighted goo.

“Awwww!” she cooed. “Aren’t you just a cutie! Come here, little kitty!”

The tiny, orange kitten cocked its head to the side, mewing once more before boldly trotting up to Serena. It rubbed against her legs, purring contently.

Scooping the baby kitty up, she crooned, “Aren’t you just the most precious thing I’ve ever seen! Where’d you come from, cutie?” She noted the lack of a collar.

The kitten, unconcerned, playfully batted at Serena’s face. Serena internally squealed her elation—she wanted to hug this kitten forever if possible! It was gosh-darn adorable! The tiny orange tabby fit into cupped hands, and she wondered if the itty-bitty kitty had gotten lost. It seemed a bit underweight when she examined further. Serena hoped someone hadn’t tossed it outside; “How could anyone abandon such a precious face?” she pondered.

Suddenly the kitten began to squirm, struggling its way to freedom, so it could climb to her shoulders. It mewed again before licking her face. Serena giggled from the feel of its tickly tongue. Scratching the kitten under the chin, she considered her options.

She couldn’t leave the kitty here—that didn’t sit well with her. Her heart cried out, utterly dismayed just at the thought of it. Technically, she could bring the kitten home. Miya, her own cat, was ever-so friendly and wouldn’t mind having a new friend. Serena had a sinking suspicion that Karissa, her best friend, would be rather cross with her if she were to take it home. Though they lived separately, Karissa tended to worry about her, going on about how Serena was a functioning adult. Karissa was even a bit unsure if Serena was responsible enough to take care of anything outside herself, but Miya was family—not some pet! Of course, she’d take the best care of Miya; Serena loved her with all her soul! Maybe it wouldn’t be the best idea to bring in another furry family member yet, though. Karissa had mentioned she was lucky that Miya and her personalities meshed so well—that it might have gotten dicey if they hadn’t. Serena didn’t think she’d have any issues with this kitten, but Karissa was right about many things.

Serena mulled over other options. She could take the kitten to a shelter; it was so cute that it’d be adopted in no time. Serena didn’t like the idea of it being placed in a cage, though. Honestly, who enjoyed being in a cage?? The kitten deserved to be free to play and happy, not restricted in some cage. Serena sighed. This was trickier than she’d thought. Sitting down on the grass, Serena placed the kitten on her lap, stroking lusciously soft fur and contemplating what to do. The kitten started batting a stray marigold swaying in the wind. Serena smiled. She had to do something to help it.

The kitten’s head suddenly perked up, ears and tail twitching, before racing past the sunflowers, poppies, camellias, lilies, roses, and zinnias. Startled, Serena sprinted after it as it raced through the field.

“Wait, where are you going?” Serena whined. “I want to help—don’t leave!”

Serena picked up the pace, frantically trying not to lose sight of the kitten. It ducked into a patch of pink carnations near some bluebells. Serena huffed, catching her breath, before parting the flowers in hopes of finding the kitten. When she drew back the curtain of flowers, a smile graced her face. There was the orange tabby, however, it wasn’t alone. It playfully tumbled with additional kittens. There were seven in total—each utterly adorable!

Aside from the orange kitten, there was a brown and white calico, a tortoiseshell, a brown tabby, a tiny, gray tabby, a golden-patched calico, and a yellow tabby kitten. Serena cooed at the sight of all the playing kittens. Serena spied a crumbled cardboard box nearby, solidifying her suspicion. Thankfully, the kittens seemed unharmed, although underfed... Serena had to do something.

Looking at the orange tabby, Serena declared, “Alright, Marigold. We need to figure out homes for all of you. This just won’t do.”

Again, cocking its head to the side, the orange kitten, now deemed Marigold, peered up at Serena. Mewing almost as if in agreement, awaiting further instructions.

Serena tapped her chin, musing aloud, “What to do… What to do… Oh, I know! I’ll ask Gigi! She fostered little Miya and Mitsuki back when they were kittens found abandoned on the side of the road. She’s so sweet—you’ll love her! I’m certain she’ll take you in! She has such a large, kind heart!”

Marigold’s tail twitched, flicking side to side, as it listened to Serena’s plan. The kitten appeared to approve.

Dubbing the group, the Shichitachi—her band of seven kitties—Serena declared, “Alright, Marigold, follow me, and we’ll get you some place nice, warm and safe to stay. Make sure the group sticks together, okay?”

Serena grabbed the discarded box, attempting to fix it so she could carry the seven kittens inside of it. It was a little worse for wear, but it would still work for transporting the kittens to her car. She began to pick up the kittens.

“You’ll be Tsubaki,” she decided, placing the gray kitten that had been playing with the fallen camellia blossom inside the box before picking up the golden-patched calico. “And you’ll be Himawari.”

Making sure the two kittens were fine—they had started playing inside the box together—Serena set her sights on the brown tabby. “You look like a Chika,” Serena remarked, placing it in the box.

“Hmm… you seem like a Yuri,” Serena commented as she added the white and brown calico to the box.

Grabbing the yellow tabby and the tortoiseshell kitten, Serena announced, “And last but not least we have Hana and Sakura!” She placed the two kittens into the box with the others.

Serena picked up Marigold. “Let’s get you with your friends so we can find you all a home!”

With all the kittens secured inside the box Serena began the trek to the car, mindful not to jostle the kittens. It took a few minutes, but the trip went smoothly. Marigold seemed to be keeping the Shichitachi kittens in line, playfully tackling any that began trying to climb out of the box. Serena placed the box on the backseat in her car, snapping a few quick pictures before closing the door.

“I can’t wait to tell Karissa! You’re all so cute! I know she’ll appreciate your names! I gave you all flower-inspired names since I found you surrounded by flowers! Maybe I can even talk her into visiting you all at Gigi’s!” Serena squealed.

Opening the driver’s door, she settled in, buckling up so she could head to Gigi’s home. She started her car, glancing over her shoulder and proclaiming, “You’re gonna love it there!”

The drive was uneventful, and Serena found herself at Gigi’s in no time. She broke out into a huge grin, thinking of how Gigi would be so surprised. Stepping out of the car and around to the side to get the kittens, Serena beamed, “Ready, little ones?”

Serena walked up the path to the front door, waltzing inside as per usual. Hearing noises in the kitchen—Gigi was likely baking desserts again—Serena called out, “Gigi, I brought a surprise!” Serena placed the box on the living room floor, affectionately watching the kittens play.

Gigi came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a floral apron. “Oh, I wasn’t expecting you yet. The cookies aren’t finished baking yet, but it’s always a pleasure to have you over. You’re always more than welcome here.”

Serena smiled, inhaling the decadent scents of chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies. Mmmmm. She couldn’t wait to have some; coming over to Gigi’s was the best—she always baked oodles of delicious desserts. Snapping herself out of her dessert daydream with a shake of the head, Serena cried, “Look! I found kittens! Aren’t they cute? Someone had abandoned them near the park in a field of flowers.”

Gigi stepped closer, peering into the box. “Precious, little dears. Poor things look a bit scrawny. They haven’t been getting enough to eat.”

“Can you foster them like you did for Miya and Mitsuki? I don’t want them to end up in a shelter… That feels sad, cold, and lonely. It wouldn’t be too much trouble, would it? I could help out with paying for food and visiting them,” Serena pleaded.

Gigi blinked. “It shouldn’t be too much trouble, dearie. I’ve fostered plenty of cats before your Miya and Karissa’s Mitsuki. You’re more than welcome to visit them all you want while we find them homes, but you needn’t go out of your way to buy food. I have more than enough,” she assured.

“That’s great, Gigi!” Serena threw herself at Gigi, enveloping her in a massive hug. “I knew I could count on you! You’re the best! I love you!!”

Gigi chuckled, affectionately patting Serena on the head. “Now, now. You needn’t crush me with the depths of your love. I do need to breathe, dearie. Let’s get these precious darlings settled in. They need some more meat on those bones!”

Serena smiled sheepishly, letting Gigi out of her tight embrace. Serena skipped to the kitchen to get cat food for the kittens, well familiar with the layout from all the times she visited when Gigi fostered Mistuki and Miya and all the subsequent visits to share sweets with one another. While not officially her grandma in terms of blood, Gigi was her “grandmother” in all the ways that count, exemplifying a grandmotherly persona and warmth. These new kittens would be just fine now. She and Gigi would ensure it. Gigi had a keen sense of who had great homes for her foster kitties—it was how Serena ended up with Miya and Karissa with Mitsuki. These kittens would receive so much love from Gigi until they found loving homes of their own. Serena breathed a sigh of relief before breaking out into a huge grin. She would make sure to get plenty of playtime in with the Shichitachi flower kittens before they found their homes.