01.34 - Fluffy Fluffy Paradise

“So, what are we dealing with?” Ariel asked.

“A cat,” Nami said.

“A big cat,” Nagi added while indicating its size with arms outstretched as wide as he could.

“A very big cat,” Nami confirmed while imitating Nagi’s gesture.

“And a very smart one too,” Nagi said.

“How so?” Ariel asked.

“It tried to get away from us,” Nagi said.

“Changed its direction multiple times," Nami said.

Come to think of it, the journey to its lair was strange. We did not travel in a straight line, that one wasn’t uncommon, but there were many more irregularities and we seemed to backtrack multiple times after making what must have been a detour.

“But if it knew it was followed, why did it lead you back to its hideout in the first place?” Ariel asked.

I was asking the same question in my head, then it clicked.

“I got a hunch,” I said. “Good job so far, but I am taking over.”

“What?” Ariel asked in protest. “Didn’t you say this was our quest?”

“Yes,” I said. “I did say that, but things are different now. Change of plans. Be careful when approaching the target. It probably knows it's no match for us. Do not corner it, and whatever you do, don’t enter the cave before I tell you.”

“Sure, uncle Grey,” Akatsuki said.

“‘kay, Dad,” Nami and Nagi said in unison.

“Fine,” Ariel said in a dragged out tone after being relieved from her position as interim group leader.

Our group slowly left the cover of the forest and approached the vicinity of the cave the ‘very big cat’ monster had selected as its hideout.

A warning roar echoed from within as we came closer and closer.

“First warning,” I said. “It should come out if we get closer.”

“You think it's a one way cave?” Reiko asked.

“Doesn’t have to be,” I said. “But it doesn’t matter. At least if my hunch is right.”

“That being?” Reiko asked.

“We’ll see soon enough,” I said as I stepped to the front of our little group.

We were still more than a dozen meters away from the cave when another, louder, more fierce roar echoed through it. The source of the sound seemed to draw closer.

“Second warning,” I said. “I think it’ll come out any minute now. Stay behind me. Don’t corner it.”

“And if it runs away?” Ariel asked.

“Then I was wrong,” I said, “and we will hunt it down at the next best chance.”

“And if you’re rig…” Ariel’s question was cut short as the source of the roar slowly emerged from the cave.

It was quite the sight. Something less like a cat, and more like a sabertooth tiger. Almost as tall as the kids. With a quickly swishing tail, flattened ears, bared teeth, narrowed eyes, and a low, crouching posture.

You didn’t have to be a cat expert to know it was pissed.

The beast positioned itself between us and the cave entry.

It did not attempt to run away, nor attack us.

But neither did we.

“And now?” Akatsuki asked.

“Are we planning to stare it to death?” Ariel asked.

“Third and final warning,” I said. “But now I am sure.”

“Sure of what?” Ariel asked.

“We are not so different,” I said. “That cat monster and I.”

“Huh?” Reiko asked.

“Akatsuki, ever since Hermes and your brother brought home the wolf pups, you wanted a cat, right?”

“I wanted a kitten,” Akatsuki said. “A small, cute one, not like that.”

“Oh… oh!” It finally clicked for Reiko too.

The scenario was perfect. No one was moving, least of all the cat. It knew it had no chance to beat us in a fair fight. It knew that it couldn’t run away. And by now I was sure there was no way in hell it would let any of us step into that cave behind it.

I slowly used my Taming skill, while the staring match continued. Taming a monster like that, strong in both body and intellect would be next to impossible. The Skill activation time was long, and did not allow for the target to leave its very narrow area of effect.

After about three minutes, the Skill took effect.

It lowered its tail, and suddenly had an overall calm demeanor.

I was pretty sure it had worked, but I would be the one to test it. No need to endanger the kids. I guess that feeling was mutual between the cat and me.

It didn’t try to run or attack as I got closer.

Then, as I stretched out my hand and tried to pet it, it slowly rubbed its head against my palm.

Mission accomplished.

“Great,” I said. “Time for part two. Everyone, follow behind me!”

The new family pet led the way into the cave, with me close behind, and the others following with a slight delay.

The scene within was almost as I suspected, though it did slightly exceed my imagination.

There were five kittens, waiting eagerly for their mothers return.

Maybe kittens wasn’t the right word… What was the cat equivalent to a young teenager again?

Was there even such a thing?

Anyway, they were pretty big, for a cat, but small compared to their mother.

It looked like they had already fed on the supplies their mother had acquired for them. But it also looked like it hadn’t been enough.

One of the five, especially, seemed smaller and weaker than the rest.

And a bit sickly, on top of it.

That one somehow reminded me of my niece, Akatsuki.