Red and orange fight off the last grips of purple as night becomes day. A massive tree wrapped in rope with zigzag strips of white paper towers above me, its trunk and branches gnarled from centuries of growth, its bark covered with soft grass. A courtyard extends around the tree. Worn stones and gravel cover the earth. A boulder spitting water sits behind me. To my left are two large fox statues guarding a small wooden box. To my right is a wall of painted wooden plaques hung from lines of string; they rattle together as a gust of wind blows ginkgo leaves across cold stone.
It's quiet here. Peaceful. Lonely.
Crows caw in the distance. The rumbling of a massive metal snake comes and goes. The smell of burning incense and brewing tea whispers through the air, accompanied by the stink of car exhaust. I breathe it in deeply. Although altered, I recognize the scent. At least I'm still in the same city, even if this area is—
Clanging metal crashes through the stillness, sending me airborne. Whatever made that racket is close. Curiosity tugs at my whiskers. It's an allure that often brings misfortune, but risk does not dampen its magnetism. Besides, I can't just stay here. So I shake the startle from my paws and set off towards the sound.
Low to the ground, I stalk quietly. There's no telling what I'll find. Danger or direction? Desperate as I am, I don't have the luxury of abundant options here. Perhaps thinking I might uncover answers from the sound-maker is just overthought curiosity. Then again, it could be instinct.
Creeping along the edge of an ancient building, I sniff at the air for answers. Nothing definitive. Two claps force the breath from my lungs. Muscles tense. My shoulder presses into wood and shadow. I strain for silence, waiting for more noise. Nothing comes. Did it hear me jump back? Whatever it is, it could be waiting for me to make a move.
Still nothing.
With arduous caution, I risk a peek around the corner.
Is that a…?
Before a roofed platform with a ceiling gilded in intricate gold, stands a cat unlike any I have ever seen. Bipedal? I shake my head, trying to fix my vision. He's still upright. My head tilts. What manner of cat is this? The new angle doesn't change things. Long fur, snow-white and billowing in the breeze, covers the mysterious creature still standing tall and proud on his hind legs. A haori jacket made of midnight silk with a strange human symbol on the back drapes over his shoulders. A smoldering pipe sits loosely on his lips; its trail of sweet smoke dances through the crisp morning air, twisting and rolling towards the heavens.
I blink hard, still unsure if he's some feline apparition.
He offers the building a deep bow, then meanders to a path that twists past swinging lanterns and fragrant shrubbery. Instinct screams, urging me to follow the strange cat. It's no longer a mere matter of curiosity. No, there is something undeniably important fueling this feeling. Something I can't place. It begs me to take action, to uncover the hidden importance. So I cling low to the shadows, darting from one bush to the next, slinking after him as he lazily strolls towards a gargantuan red gate at the end of the path, all the while remaining upright, walking on nothing but his hind legs. Apparently, without a care in the world.
His strolling takes us to a sidewalk not unlike any other. Concrete jammed between more concrete, metal, and glass. Though foreign, the neighborhood looks similar enough to my own. What a relief. Perhaps I'm not too far from home after all, but I know better than to dive into humanity's maze without thought. For now, I must stay my course. Besides, each time I consider letting the abnormal cat saunter out of my mind, instincts push me forward. So I follow him, rounding block after block, ducking in and out of alleyways until I'm on the brink of insanity.
"Do you plan to follow me all day?" The fluffy white cat says between clouds of pipe smoke; his peaceful stride uninterrupted, his relaxed gaze fixed ahead.
I duck behind a vending machine. No way he spotted me. Since the shrine, he's done nothing but hum and puff his pipe without a care. The only thing that changes is his stance when humans pass within view.
"Your technique could really use some refinement," he calls out again without turning to look for me.
Damn him. Mocking me? Or perhaps he's just crazy. I mean, look at him.
Wait.
Where'd he go?
I leap from my hiding spot. Nothing but buildings and empty concrete. I sniff again, long and hard. A multitude of scents flood my nose. Only unhelpful details. The stench of human fumes from a block away, the perfume of sandalwood and charred ash from an open window above, the sweet aroma of fresh fish from around the corner, but no pipe smoke. Where the hell did he…
"Hey."
The voice sends me leaping. Laughter accompanies my descent as I spin to find the mysterious cat leaning against the vending machine right beside me, upright, forelegs crossed comfortably across his fluffy chest, pipe smouldering between his smirking lips.
My back arches, my tail puffs.
"Who are you?!" I hiss.
"Hmm, strange…" He scratches his chin contemplatively. "I was under the impression that you were the one following me… So shouldn't I be asking you that?" He shrugs lackadaisically.
"I, er… My name is Bokuden."
"Well, Bokuden, you're pretty shit at stalking," he laughs, choking out a puff of smoke. "If I were your meal, you'd surely starve. Luckily for you, we're not enemies, or else I could've taken care of you the second you passed out of the torii gate," he sighs. "You really should bow, you know? When you leave. Especially after the Mikoneko guided you to her shrine."
"Bow? Wait… Hold on! Who's the Mikoneko?" I pry, the sound of the spirit cat's holy purr replaying in my ears.
The white cat rolls his eyes. A buzz of energy builds in the air around him. I step back, readying for an attack. "Always bow. The kami deserve respect." His massive white tail puffs up even more. I unsheath my claws. He scoffs, pressing his tail against the vending machine. The mysterious charge in the air magnifies. Lights flicker. The snack fortress whirrs louder and louder, as if struggling to breathe. Like a bolt of lightning followed by rumbling thunder, a can plummets to the bottom of the machine, forcing me to jump again.
"Careful of the road, you just got back. It may get easier, but I doubt you'd like to go through all that again." A car speeds by as I move away from the curb. The strange cat turns his attention back to the vending machine, squeezing his top half under the flap. He emerges with a grunt, dragging out a red and white can scrolled with human symbols.
"Whoa, whoa! Hold on!" I say as he walks away. "Wait! What do you mean? How do you know I woke up there? And who is the Mikoneko?! Do you know about the spirit in the void?"
"Hmm, the void? Oh, you mean the dark place? The land of nothing?"
"You've been there too?"
"The Void… I like that. Shorter, simpler. Simple is good, especially when dealing with lost cats like this one," he murmurs to himself.
"Hey! Quit ignoring me!"
"Shhh…" He holds up a paw at me. "All cats have been or will go there. To the Void. Nine times, in fact. That's not the concerning bit. It's the memory of that place that's problematic. That's your issue, and, unfortunately, it is quite a dire one as far as your soul is concerned… Well, good luck," he smiles and turns away.
"Hold on," I spring forward, cutting off his retreat. "What are you saying? Please, I'm… I'm so lost. I need help. Please, I beg you," I bow deeply.
"Alright, alright, just… lift your head. You're embarrassing me." He sighs and takes a deep pull of his pipe. "Here's the thing: most cats never consciously remember the Void. Most simply go at the end, then, by the next beginning, have already forgotten. That's the natural cycle. The way of balance. The path to peace… Understand?"
Oh great… He is insane.
"Not at all."
"Then there's another problem for you to come to terms with… Sorry," he shrugs and turns away, again.
"Wait! How do you know all this? You woke up at the shrine, too, didn't you? You've seen the spirit, the one with the lotus! Right? Is that the Mikoneko?"
He huffs over his shoulder, "This can is quite heavy and getting warmer by the second. I need to get back home so I can enjoy my drink without humans flocking to me with those damn flashing rectangles pointed at my face… Besides, these questions don't have simple answers; at least not simple enough for someone who can't even properly conceal their presence."
All I can do is grit my teeth as he heads for a nearby alleyway with his precious can hoisted high above his head. Senile fool. Doesn't he have anything better to do than puff out vague riddles?
Oh well, let the old bastard go. Clearer answers can surely be found elsewhere. There must be another path. But the city before me is a sprawling expanse of unfamiliar concrete and glass. A world of hard things and hardships. A monument to aimlessness. A blatant reminder of how limited my options truly are. If only Oda were here; he always had the sharper nose. But he's gone. His memory stokes the flame in my belly. Get back home. That's the first step in restoring my siblings' honor. Then I can cut down Zei Sho. But first I must find my way back…
Damn it.
As bothersome as he is, the upright cat may be the only one with any idea how I got here or what happened to me. Ugh. For now, my options are painfully limited.
"Hey! Wait up!" I rush for the alley, chasing down the can-carrying cat.
. . .
Steel and concrete tower high enough to usurp the sun's dominion over the uneven asphalt. Trash cans, piles of boxes, and crates of empty bottles line the alley. Corrugated walls and windowless doors stand guard, keeping the human territories separated from the land of cats.
Conversation is in short supply. My long list of questions quickly comes to an end as his limited responses and vague mumblings kill any hope for answers. So I trail behind him in silence, trying to make sense of the human symbol painted across the back of his haori. Trying to make sense of the jacket itself. And of the cat wearing it, for that matter.
As we round a bend, we come across a human squatting beside a brick wall with a rancid stick of smoke held between his lips. Above the man is a puffy ball that smells like cedar. Charred fish and savory spices squeeze out a cracked window, mixing with the thick alley aroma. Apprehension slows my pace as we pad closer, but the human seems completely oblivious. The upright cat remains unbothered. Perhaps the presence of his prized can simply negates the possibility of dropping to all fours. Either way, he trudges forward like a fat cloud in a silk jacket, red and white can held above his head.
"Eh?!" The cigarette slips from the human's mouth. He digs into his pants and fumbles a rectangle from his pocket.
As he lifts it, that invisible buzz radiates from the upright cat once again. It's just like at the vending machine. Like the air around him is being charged with some sort of energy. Before the man has the rectangle aimed, the cloud cat flicks his tail in the man's direction. A lightning-fast zap surges through the air. The device crackles and pops as it springs from the human's grip. It clatters to the ground as the man curses and nurses his fingertips. The smell of scorched chemicals leaks from the spiderweb cracks across its glassy surface. Swaying along, the strange cat lazily continues ahead with wide steps, can still held aloft.
Soon the alley gives way to a small, secluded park. Tall buildings with glowing signs and a gravel path border the far side. The park is flanked by rows of humble shacks covered in wooden signs with hand-drawn human symbols scattered incomprehensibly. The smell of food permeates the small structures, but they seem to be completely abandoned. Could be a trap. Another human scheme to capture and enslave free cats. I should keep a wary eye on this place. On this strange cat as well.
Concrete gives way to scratchy grass. A single, towering camphor tree stands proud at the center of the humble park, its ancient canopy offering steadfast protection from sun, rain, and hawk alike. The twisted trunk, wide enough to conceal at least one entire tuna, is speckled with moss. A soft breeze rustles the tree's impressive branches, sending a serenade of leafsong through the peaceful grassland. Small birds chitter and chatter about their petty dramas high above, while a duo of squirrels quarrels over the location of lost nuts. A large crow sits high atop the camphor, watching my approach with unabashed intensity.
"Here it is."
"What is this place?"
"Home," the word meanders pleasantly from his lips.
Without explanation, he pushes at a knot in the bulbous trunk. It swings open, revealing a subterranean entrance. He lets the can roll into the hole, then follows, his expansive white fur swallowed by the dark mystery that lies within the tree.
Hesitant, I peer down the hole. Perhaps this was a mistake. Chills stalk across my skin. It's not too late to turn around, but where else would I go? His tail pops back out from the darkness, gesturing for me to follow. I slowly scoot myself in headfirst. A tunnel, more of a hallway really, lies before me. Its smooth, wooden walls are dimly lit by a small lantern at the far end. My upright guide is nowhere to be found, but the swaying curtain shows me the way.
"Whoa…" I push through, stepping into yet another unexpected twist.
Beyond the curtain is a large, underground chasm expansive enough to house upwards of twenty cats. The chamber is ringed with lanterns that cast warm light on the impressive space. An intricate weaving of roots dances across the ceiling and pushes down, deep into the rocky soil like twisting support beams. Smooth stones, cool to the touch, dot the mossy ground, offering a path to a central structure.
I blink hard, suspecting my eyes are deceiving me once again. There's just no way… Yet the image remains.
At the center of the chamber stands a wooden building crafted in the ways of old. Charred wooden boards line the facade, giving way to paper windows and an open doorway. Tiles shingle over the pyramidal roof like dragon scales, coming to a decisive point at each corner of the building. It's like a miniature of the structure from that shrine. Who could've built a thing like this? And why?
A boisterous crack pulls my attention away from the ceramic tiles. Sitting tall at the center of the porch, hind legs crossed underneath, is the white cat. Intoxicating smoke rolls from his smirking lips as he smiles at the can like a proud mother watching healthy kittens. Hoisting the thing with both paws, he leans back and gulps the mysterious liquid, then sets it back down. Tan droplets cling to his chin and whiskers as his smile widens.
"So, Bokuden… It was, Bokuden, right?"
I nod. My paws tread lightly over cold stone and smooth wood as I join him on the porch.
"Well," he cocks his head to the side, "want a sip?"
"I'd prefer answers."
His head cocks the opposite direction.
"I—"
The frustrating cloud hoists the can aloft again, tipping himself back to catch its flow.
"Are you…" My ears turn back as I huff out a breath of annoyance. "I don't have time for, for… whatever this is. Do you have answers for me, or am I just here for your entertainment?"
Thud. The can strikes the hardwood.
The cloud's bright blue eyes find mine. For just the tiniest sliver of a moment, they hold within them a look sharp enough to cut through steel. The piercing gaze sends a chill racing down my spine. Some unplaceable quality of danger, or perhaps just pure power, lives deep within those pools of blue. But before the chill reaches the tip of my tail, his eyes soften, once again glossed with carelessness and vague amusement.
"You're quite a rude cat, aren't you?" He flicks his tail in the air. "You don't bow at shrines. You demand I stop and answer your multitude of questions. And you haven't even asked for my name."
When he puts it like that, I guess I have been a little focused on my needs. I offer him a small, apologetic bow.
"However, to one extent or another, I know what you're going through," he says before I have the chance to respond. "I know the fear well, the confusion, too. That anger… The crushing importance of a task incomplete… So, with great kindness and wisdom, I will forgive your rudeness," he proudly announces.
"You know what happened to me, don't you? Please, you must tell me. Do you know how I got here? Why did I wake up at that shrine?"
"Well… I can't promise exact accuracy, but I like to think I understand it better than most." He pushes the can away and taps his pipe on the ground, letting black ash spill onto the wood.
The smell of moss and earth floods my nose as I drink in a deep breath, trying to keep my frustration from becoming audible. Don't be rude. He'll get there. Just let him meander his way to my answers… Even if it's with the urgency of a tortoise leaving a salad bowl.
"Fine. That's, er, that's fine. Any insight would be of great value, even partial truths," I say as pleasantly as I can. Now, will he please just get the hell on with it?
"When it first happened to me…" He pauses, pulling out a sinched sack from inside his haori. Taking a pinch of green herbs from inside, he gently packs them into the long pipe. "I thought it was all some strange premonition." His tail lifts over his shoulder and presses into the pipe. When he retracts it, the green herbs are lit cherry-red. He draws out a cloud as large as himself and puffs it up towards the ceiling. "So, Bokuden, just to get you over the initial shock as quickly as possible, I will go ahead and assure you that you most definitely died before awaking at the shrine. Most likely in an exceedingly brutal or tragic way… probably both."
His words slice through me like the memory of Zei Sho's cleaver. Guess it wasn't a nightmare after all.
"I… I really… died?" My paw checks for signs of a wound that no longer afflicts me. Terrible sadness and unflinching anger twist my stomach. My head hangs low. Pain and shame strike hot as glowing embers in my soul. Chiyo, Oda, I failed you.
"Sorry." Smoke rolls from his lips. He extends the pipe towards me.
"Wait! How could I have died? I'm here, aren't I? That alley, this city… No way this is the afterlife, and clearly I'm not a kitten."
"A cat is a special creature. One soul, nine lives… But why? Reward? Test? Oppurtunity?" He shrugs, "All that is certain is with each life we find a new beginning."
"Exactly!" I snap. "I know how it works! Each life is a clean slate; everyone knows that! Reborn. Day one. No memories of before. A new chance. Not…" I look down at my body. "Not this!"
"If only it were that simple," he sighs, his shoulders hunching as if burdened by a great weight. "Unfortunately, beginnings don't always occur when we expect them to."
"Beginnings are at the beginning." This cat is quickly proving himself to be less helpful than I had hoped.
"Eh… you'd be surprised. There are layers to this world, to existence. Things we are not taught, realities that escape even a cat's intuition. It's a shame," he huffs out a labored cloud. "I wish you were right; it would make life a simpler thing. Death, too, for that matter… If only the Mikoneko spared cats like us…"
"The Mikoneko? Spared us from what?"
His gaze pins me with that chilling look once again as he leans forward, the crisp air all but sucked out of the den. "The Nekotsu curse…"