Shifting Cat – The ability of a Bakao transform their appearand form to other shapes. The subtle bodies beutable and the majority of spiritual funs are tained in the primary Night Orb within the Chakra. This area ot be greatly transformed, and if it is destroyed the Bakaneko will die, but other injuries are simple to repce. Sihe bearer of this skill is but a partial Bakaneko, the ability to shift is restricted in scale, and it takes signifitly more aether. The limits of the Material form are that the brain ot be greatly transformed, and if damaged the Bakaneko will die, due to transmission to the Chakra. [Css: ype: Artifice]

  That’s what I noticed about Ginneka when we fought. She could shift and ge shape and size, regrow lost limbs instantly… but the head was alresent and didn’t ge much…

  Shapeshifter is a css given to those who have mastered the ability to ge the self at will. It increases all Material Statistics slightly, and strengthens League as trol over body and spirit increases. Charm also signifitly increases as the self is optimised, imperfes lost during shapeshifting.

  I did notice that Eri looks a little different. Really, it’s barely noticeable, I thought her adorable enough already, and due to her stats aher Healing, her skin was already radiant, but… Looking at her closely, the subtle imperfes that every human was born with seemed to have been smoothed out, her features regur and symmetrical. I doubt a me would notice though.

  As I studied her a long moment, Eri frowned. “What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

  “No, no problems.” I reassured her. “Only good things.” I thehrough and expined what I had seen.

  “Half-Bakaneko?” That was what she was ied in. “Does that mean I’m no longer human, like you?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe?” I shrugged, cheg the description as my Eye glowed.

  A Half-Bakaneko is a hybrid between a Human and a Yōkai. Such a creature is vanishingly rare in the modern world, but exist freely iher the Material or the Astral, as their Material and Astral bodies are closely ied. Damage taken by the Silver Cord is less damaging to the subtle bodies, and the efficy of abs Ether and verting it to Aether is increased slightly. As a hybrid Bakaneko, some abilities and csses that only apply to Cat Yōkai are avaible.

  “What do you think? I’d say you’re still mostly human, but it’s no bad thing. So… I’m curious. Don’t tell me you aren’t too?”

  Eri nodded. “I am. Let me trate…” She squeezed shut her eyes, and for a few minutes nothing happened, before with a scattering of aether and a popping noise Eri cute bck cat ears and a simirly dark bck tail, which waved behind her. A real life catgirl. Eri could make a fortune iain cafés in Akihabara, but there’s no way I’ll share! Setting aside those stupid thoughts, I grasped the most importaures of her transformation, as Eri wobbled and sat down on the bed again.

  “It worked. It’s strange. In the Boundary I don’t even think about moving them, they just do what I want. But here…” she squinted her eyes as she trated, her tail waving as she a. “…I suppose I have to thank my experience of learning to walk and use my arm again. I’m so exhausted…”

  “I think the issue is…” I began, and Eri winced, her cat ears dropping.

  “That’s really odd. I hear from the cat ears too. It’s a bit… ugh.” she trated again, and the ears vanished with another puff of aether, though her tail remained.

  I asked if she was all right, and she nodded. “I think so. Just… it’s a lot to take in. I’m happy though. It feels so good to be bayself.”

  “More than yourself.” I snorted. “Anyway, as I was saying before your cat ear catastrophe…” Eri giggled at that, and the sight warmed me. “… from what I tell, ging your form takes a ton of aether, but now that it’s there, the tail seems plugged into your chakra work and bodily funs, so it just works like any other body part. Perhaps it’s your low Rank, or because you’re only a Half-Bakaneko, but it’ll take a toll on you. I doubt you’ll be doing a Ginneka and shiftiween forms in battle. But…” I paused, actually not wanting to say what was on my mind, and Eri, despite her weariness, sat up and took my hand.

  “I know. You worry if I simply repjuries by shifting my shape, I’ll do something reckless again. But I won’t. No, that’s nht. I won’t unless it’s absolutely necessary.” She promised. “I have learned my lesson. I want to be with you, support you. But I ’t let that push me into a position where I’m a liability. Hyath was saying the same, I think. I wao be helpful, find something else that I could do for you, but I wao do it simply to find something, not because I wao do it. Now… she’s right.” Eri’s tail shed, and I listened reassuringly, nodding along to her words. “What I wanted, what I always wanted, was to be your wife. And a part of your life. So how I bine what I want with what you need? I think Shaeu knows my heart, which is mostly why she gave me this role. Well, the other part is probably because she didn’t want the hassle, and as a bribe. But Hyath knows too. I wonder… do you think she served someone important before? I think… uhe giggles and the perverted behaviour, she’s actually wiser than any of us?”

  “I know she’s old…” I began, and Eri shook her head, putting a fio my lips.

  “Just some advice, Akio. Don’t mention a woman’s age. I don’t think that they’re Fae before they are women, so they should be the same as us humans in that regard.”

  “I’ll bear that in mind.” I sighed. “But… I do wonder. Wood element is rare in the Fae. Even a Dryad like Asha didn’t have it inally. Yet Hyath did. It makes me wonder… but yes, her advies from the heart.”

  “I’ll be your wife, and I’ll g to you. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t. But I’ll also spread my wings. I’ll learn enough about all you do, all the irls do, and I’ll be the ohey e to with problems. It might even be fun, learning a lot of hings. And in emergencies, maybe I won’t be as good as the others at their specialities, but I’ll always be better than nothing!” she smiled brilliantly, dark eyes gleaming with emotion. “That way I’ll always be able to be with you. Even in battle. But not…” she said before I could speak. “… before I’ve bee strong enough to stand by your side holy. I’ve fallen behind since Kyoto. I have to step up my game. Safely of course.”

  “I see. They sound like udable goals.” I approved. “If you need any support, just ask. Now, there’s o thing…”

  “Maneki-Nekht? I’m a little offended, I’m not a fat cat.” Eri pouted, and I imagined several of the lucky charms. Usually the cats were fairly chubby.

  “No way. You’re adorable Eri.” I smiled, amused by the image of a fat Eri sitting there, a hand in the air, inviting. “So, let’s see just what the being cat does…”

  Maneki-Neko is a css given to Cats who have survived death by unlikely circumstances. It is said that Cats have nine lives, but they die just the same as everyone else. However, Cats are also creatures long associated with Fortune, so when a cat escapes death, such Fortune be activated, allowing them to avoid further danger, giving rise to the myth of the Cat with many lives. This css increases Fortune signifitly, as well as additional Determination. In addition, Fortune be invited in, and any Fortune-enhang abilities affeg the Maneki-Neko and their allies will be strengthened. Such a Cat will also gain increased Fate, as so long as there is a whisper of a ce to escape a terrible danger, Fortune will point the way.

  “I see. It was a miracle I survived.” Eri agreed. “So, I am a being cat. But…” she frowhinking, and I was amused by the way her tail twitched as she did so. “Strengthening abilities? Doesn’t that mean that I enhahe effects of Shaeu’s fortunate winds?”

  “I think so.” I nodded. “Luck is on our side, it seems.”

  “You were lucky from the day you met me.” Eri said, unusually cheeky for her, but sidering her emotions were running high after rec, I uood it.

  “That’s right. I have the best childhood friend in the world!” I said, gathering her into a hug, pretending not to see her sudden tears, as she looked as if she wao appear strht now. Meanwhile, in the Boundary I advised everyohat it would be fio e see Eri in a short while. We’ll give her a few mio calm down. And also… I’ll o keep an eye on Gioo. Looking at the cat, who was yammering loudly, trying to appeal to us, I slightly regretted the fact that I had rush built a third Ether Spire to Rank 4 just a little while before all this…

  ********

  “This is a happy-happy day!” Shaeu crowed, hugging Eri, who had dried her tears and was now smiling radiantly. She then grinned cheekily, reag down, and Eri yelped as her tail was grabbed by Shaeu’s small hands. “And now you are even having this here. You will o be careful, no? Otherwise if you wear a skirt, you will-will fsh everyone your panties.”

  Eri pouted, ae her exhaustion, the tail vanished. “It was just easier to practise with the ears and tail, since I was used to them!” Eri insisted, and Shaeu merely ughed, still hugging her.

  “Do not-not be so annoyed, Eri. I am merely very happy for you! As are we all! This calls-calls for fine alcohol! Akio, break open a bottle of whiskey!”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Shiro agreed, looking on warmly. “You know, Eri, I’m almost going to miss having to wheel you around and help you ge.”

  “No you won’t.” Eri shook her head. “I know it was a nuisance. But… thank you. I did appreciate it.”

  Shiro flushed, looking away, scratg her cheek. It was adorable how embarrassed she was, but I held in my ugh, knowing she could be prickly and prideful, like the princess she cimed she was. “It’s fine. I know what it’s like to be frail and uo move by myself. But…” she said, her tone more cheerful. “That’s over now. for both of us. I’m healthy again, and so are you. I don’t have the ability to grow cat ears and a tail though.”

  “No, your eyes and hair just turn a brilliant crimson and are covered in fmes.” Hinata teased her. “I’d say that’s startling enough.” She turo Eri, a smile on her face too. “gratutions. I know you always believed you would recover, but believing and actually being recovered are two different things I’d say.”

  “Yeah, Eri-, I’m also happy for you.” Kana said, having also rushed over from the shrine. “Although… I’m still not sure I should be here right now. And you could put on some clothes…” All Eri was wearing was the b, so that was a fair ent.

  “What are you saying at this te stage, Kana-san?” Eri shook her head. “Where else would you be? You’re Akio’s girlfriend, right?” she snorted, amused. “Don’t you want to be here when your fellow fiancée has a happy moment?”

  “That would be more ving if you didn’t call me Kana-san all the time. it’s just me and Motoko- you address so formally, right? It makes me feel a bit unwele.”

  Eri narrowed her eyes, and I thought she would reply angrily, but she took a deep breath. “Today I start as I mean to go on. Kana. I guess I have been keeping distance from you. I’ve never been good with girls like you. But… you have as much right to stand with us as anyone. Akio decided, after all. Even if you nearly blew your ce a number of times.”

  “I have my pride. Don’t we all?”

  “Pride is nothing if it only leads to sorrow.” Motoko disagreed. “I too am happy to see you here, Kana. We are all gathered, all but poor Asha.”

  “I’m with her now. She’s helping me keep an eye on our errant silver cat, and I’m reying what we are doing here. But… now my need for a Throne has moved up. We’ll be taking oo Rank three over the few days. It’s a bit ahead of schedule, but…” It all depends on that stupid cat, but if she’s prepared to be bound, then…

  “So you are saying that this spiritual being…” Ixitt was saying in the Boundary while we celebrated with Eri. His expression was eager, and he was capering happily, rubbing his hands together, his tail shing so fast that if it was an a’d gee a mini typhoon. “… is actually patible with a Divine Favour, and the ohat I wish to experiment with the most, no less? Oh why was it not I who was so blessed?”

  “Nya, I want it! I lost so much, the least you do is give me something shiny to repce it, nya!” She transformed into a mirror to Eri once more, trying to appeal to me. “I did save your woman, nya!”

  Ign her btant appeal, holdi bay with one arm as she tried to hug me, still naked, I shook my head. “Yeah, she’s patible, but it’s like the way Kana was with hers. It’s going to take a few tweaks, but it’d work. You see, I don’t think the Favours are adapted for spiritual beings, but just like Eri received a part of Ginneka, it looks like it went both ways so… Keeping these versations straight is hard, but with Split Thoughts it’s doable…

  “So yes, Kana. Motoko too. In your case…” Eri ologising to Motoko. “… it’s not so much I find you hard to deal with, you’re just… there’s an aura about you that makes me want to address you formally.”

  At that Shaeu protested she rincess, but she was ughing happily, already swigging from the bottle as she psses of whiskey the colour of her eyes for everyone. Motoko smiled, and I got what Eri meant.

  “Yes, it is because I was raised a daughter of Tsumura house. I always have to show manners and poise. But that is no way to make friends. Only Natsumi has stood by me.”

  “That’s not true.” Natsumi disagreed. “Now you have all of us as friends, sisters. And not just us. Miyu, she is our friend. And many of the trainees here. And even some of the Fae. We crossed bde and spear with many weaselkin and others. That makes us rades, friends, doesn’t it?”

  “I’m sorry.” Eri apologised. “I should have realised. I’ve failed as first wife, which makes me sad. Especially since you were the first to tell me what I o do, Motoko, ba Nishimorioka.” Motoki ined her head at that, remembering.

  “So since I’m reborn…” Eri said, stretg, her movements oddly cat-like. “… I’ll start again, as the new me. Motoko, I should have noticed you felt that way, were feeling isoted. From now on, I’ll make sure to include you more, and help you get to know the irls. As for you, Kana…”

  Kana looked nervous, but waited for Eri to tinue.

  “… Shirohebizumi shrihere must be some festivals ing up, right?”

  Kana nodded. “Of course. I have to attend as a shrine maiden.”

  “Good. Show me how. I’ll help too.” Eri promised. “I want to uand you more, and what you do. That goes for all of you. And you tell Asha too.” Eri procimed. “I want to know all about everyone, and the best way to do that is experience what you do, what you like. And when I uand you, you e to me without worry if you are having troubles. I’m quite a shy girl, really.” Eri said, and Hinata snorted a ugh.

  “No, I really am. It’s only because I feel threatened I sh out, I know that.” She admitted. “But there’s o be threatened by each other, is there? So Kana, I’ll learn more about you, and I‘ll stop making you feel unfortable.”

  At that Kana shrugged. “There’s nothing I really say to that, is there? I guess I do push ba you a lot. Probably because we’re close in age and life experience. Hinata-… no, Hinata and the others, if yoing to make the effort, I should too, I suppose.” Kana tinued, expression ear. “… I ’t pare myself to them, and we shouldn’t even talk about Shaeu, Hyath or Shiro.”

  “Why me? I’m just a woman. Sure, I’m the world’s most beautiful, desirable princess, but at heart I’m just a girl…” Shiro said, and Kaured to her, a wry smile on her face.

  “Sure you are. Just a girl with some sort of wrathful goddess inside her. No, when it es down to it, Eri, you’re like me, right? The cutest girl for some distance around, but nothing special other than that.”

  “I’d say Aiko is my match, but… I suppose so.” Eri agreed, her voice soft and ptive. “Akio’s said we’re alike, and I suppose that’s true.”

  “Yeah, we were both poor as hell before this. Though I hear you were worse off than us.” Kana ughed. “But… it’s not like I hate you. Maybe I’m still a bit regretful that I ’t have an ordinary romance, ordinary love, but… I made my choice. I mean…” she grinned, stretg, her breasts pushing up her shrine maiden hakama, and as I couldn’t help but look, she gri me triumphantly. “… I could have had anyone I wanted. So I could have had my sweet love story. But instead I chose this womanising Akio.” She wi me. “In the end, too much happened sihat first day I saw you and Shaeu, shining like the sun. Too mas where you put cracks in my heart and seeped inside. Sure, I could have given up, I nearly did often enough, but… I’d always have been thinking what if… and the thought of that ruined my desire of pursuing anyone else. At least with you all, I won’t be thinking that. Instead it’s what’s …”

  “What’s ? Well said.” Shiro approved, and Shaeu followed up.

  “So, now Eri is healed, one of our worries is gone. I am most-most thrilled. But… that cat.” She said the words bitterly. “I five her for attempting to kill us. Grulgor tried the same, and even my fool of a brother would have killed you, Akio. My maids… I should not-not care, I know. But it burns at my heart… besides, I do not-not like the way she looks at you. She is not-not a faithful female! She is merely a cat i!”

  “Rare to find a girl you won’t push on Aki.” Shiro pointed out, and Shaeu scowled.

  “I do not-not want just anyone. I only wish those who would fit with us, be faithful, and I could trust.”

  I poihat out to Ginneka in the Boundary, and she scowled, her tail rising angrily, silver fur standing on end. “If I am i, nya, it’s because of all the mating I was subject to while trapped! As for trust, nya, I no longer have a reason to fight, nor would I win if I tried. The old me is dead, I’m a new cat, nya!”

  “In that case…” I began to expin my proposition, while ba the Material, Hinata had mentioned something iing.

  “So, Eri, you ge form, right? you replicate someone else?”

  Eri frowned. “I think so, but I’m very clumsy and it takes a lot of effort.”

  “Have no fear, I am quite-quite curious as to your limits as well. I shall charge you up.” Using Chirurgery, Shaeu poured aether into her. With that done, Eri closed her eyes, and after a while her aether surged, and her flesh shifted. It was awkward and unpleasant to watch, as unlike Ginneka and Kinneka, who could shift nigh-instantly, for Eri it was a tortuous process, but when it was done… Really? That’s who you picked…

  “She’s who I know best, who I’ve seen nearly every day for more than a dozen years. It just seemed natural.” Eri said. Her height and figure was still her own, her hair too, so it was far from perfect, but with her blue eyes and distinctive, ever-so-slightly westerures, it was my sister’s face looking back at me.

  “Putting aside the many implications of just what your ability do, that’s probably more shog than calling up balls of fire or wind.” Hinata giggled.

  “For a certified S-Rank sis like Aki, I think such a dangerous skill should be sealed.” Shiro chuckled. “Just think, he could legally indulge all his degee…” she snickered as I sealed her mouth with a hand.

  “e on now, that’s going a bit too far Shiro. You know I don’t see Aiko that way…” I said, and it was Hinata who took up the versation.

  “I’d be more worried about her pretending to be any of us. That’d be really embarrassing.” Her cheeks were red.

  “So this is why you want to know more about us? Pnning to steal our identities?” Kana teased, and as I released the still ughing Shiro, Eri, her face still matg Aiko’s in many respects, blushed.

  “Of course not!” At that moment she lost trol of her skill and cat ears and tail appeared once more, burning most of her aether.

  “Damn that’s adorable…” Shiro could barely breathe she was ughing so hard, and she wasn’t alone in that… I like this mood. It’s hopeful. And I his, as tomorrow I’m going to visit the prison where Nie Ling and the captured Cultivators are being held…

  While the others were teasing Eri, talking about how mortifying it would be to walk in on themselves ag lewdly with me, or how Eri could totally embarrass them in any number of ways by taking their form, I tinued my more important discussion with Ginneka.

  “Nya, cats are free spirits, we don’t do well uhe hand of others.” She sighed. “Following ot us killed st time.”

  “Yes, but you cimed that was down to you wanting to steal Shaeu’s skills for your own ends, right? I hardly think you bme your task for that.” I pointed out.

  “Nya, that’s fair.” She looked abashed, ears drooping. “But I died for that, so let it go, nya.”

  “You seem to be b under a misapprehension.” Asha said, her calm and mature attitude at odds to the cheerful bantering and teasing the irls were doing ierial. “What Akio is is not simply svery or bondage. No more than I am a sve because my Tree and I are under his aegis. Nor would Suzuki Haru or Ixitt here cim to be so.”

  “That is correct.” Ixitt smiled, his fangs showing. “In fact, as servitudes go, it is a wonderful bondage. I experiment to my heart’s tent, make breakthrough after breakthrough. Yes, sometimes I have tasks to fulfil, but life is not so easy as to give you everything you want for free.”

  “And you are starting from a ive, I fear.” Asha advised her. “Yes, you earned much credit with Akio for saving the life of Eri. Had you not dohat, I fear his heart would have been shattered. Noould have spent our lives helping put the shards back together again…” she smiled at me warmly, and I was reminded of a g big sister or motherly figure. She’s bee calm now she’s settled here in our Territory, and since we… became lovers, I guess? “… but fortunately you averted that. Even so, all that gets you is the ce to stand here. If you want fiveness, less still a reward…” Asha tinued. “… then you must offer trition, make amends. And nothing is forever. We Fae live long, you also, I believe. Much ge in time.”

  “You were h in the Parade, right? That means you were being pushed around by the Numbers above you, and challenged by those belht? Shaeu is Seventy-First, you sehat, right? Doesn’t that mean your ce of getting your pce back exists, maybe even a higher Number?”

  “Nya, it would be good to beat down those who have no doubt revelled in the deaths of my brother and me.” She admitted. “And if I think of it as obeying a higher Number, biding my time… but, it does not e easy to us, nya.”

  “Yes, but think of the positives. You would earn our fiveness. I would work t your brother back, as soon as I think of a way where we don’t have a peeping voyeur on our hands.” That was very important. I got the appeal of exhibitionism, seeing a cute girl showing off got guys going, but it was very different and totally uable when it was one’s own girlfriend. I’ll leave that for the doujins, thank you. “You get the power of a Divine Favour, which otherwise you’d never be able to dream of, and would be able to grow stronger, and perhaps re-join the Parade, more powerful and respected than ever before.”

  “Nya, true…” Ginneka looked torn, her revulsion at being trolled warring with lust, greed and the need for praise. She is definitely a cat. Cats are selfish, arrogant and true to themselves, but they like to be fussed over, right? “In addition, you’ll be able to walk the mortal world, see many wonderful things, eat and drink delightful delicacies, have eai you never dreamed of in your days in the Night Parade…” I could see she was starting to crack, just by watg her ears and tail that were standing up straight. One more push…

  Turning to Asha, I smiled warmly. “It doesn’t feel right, you being missing from the celebrations. Your fruit wines and honey meads are great, but you should be toasting Eri’s recovery with expensive whiskey together with the others. Hinata is bright red, I’ll have to give her Ether Healing before she goes home.”

  “Yes, I am disappoio be absent, but I am there through you, no?” Asha said, and I nodded.

  “Yes, but fortunately… assuming Ginneka here makes a wise choice, we’ll push the Throne upgrade forwards. The timing is great, Eri says our new home is magnifit, and you have your own room, furnish it as you wish. The hillside is wide for a tral Tokyo site, with trees, flowers and open spaces…”

  “Mortal greenery. I look forward to seeing it.” Asha said, and I turo Ginneka again.

  “In exge, you’ll work off your debt to us by using the Favour to help Ixitt with his experiments. It won’t be stant, I’m no svedriver…”

  “Bjarki might disagree.” Ixitt sniggered, but I ignored him.

  “A decade, a tury… what’s that but a short period to a Yōkai?” I pressed. “And while I’ll have to restrict your as with the Throne somewhat, insurance, you uand, you’ll have a det amount of freedom…”

  “While you are aiding my research, I shall be sure to show you maing pces and things.” Ixitt promised. “It is the only logical choice. Once your debt is paid off, then you accumute rewards.”

  Ginneka licked her licks reflexively. “I like rewards, nya. And that smell…” her blue eyes were fixed on me, peering to where I was holding Laverna’s favour. “A tury, that’s not so long, nya, I suppose.”

  She’s crag… “For now, I need you to help Ixitt and possibly uake a few other tasks. In exge, I’ll help Shaeu e to terms with you. Eri’s not got any hatred towards you, in fact she feels gratitude, so between us…”

  “This opportunity is a miracle you will not be offered again. I myself was like you, I was dead, or as close to it as to make no difference.” Asha pressed. “But now here I stand. What choice do you have? Will you duel princess Shaeu for your freedom?”

  “I’m not an idiot, nya. I’m not!” she glowered at me, as I must have been smiling. “Fine. I know when I am beaten. I’ll take your offer, nya. But I get to keep the favour, as you call it, when I’m done! Such a thief’s treasure belongs best with a thieving cat!”

  “Done.” I held out my hand, holding in my smirk. A hundred years? If we’re still at the point that we need Laverna’s Favour then, I’ll be delighted, because it means we’ll have avoided the worst of the uping apocalypse. Besides… in a hundred years everything could ge. Just think how much has ged ihan half a year…

  Ginneka grasped my hand, and I shook it. Eri, who was red-faced from everyoeasing, saw me smiling, and asked what .

  “Oh, I’m just happy to be part of this joyous occasion.” I replied. “… and a problem that has been halting our development is about to be removed. It’s a temporary solution, but…” With a solution in pce, our ces of ing up with a more perma one are massively improved…

  “Never mind that-that…” Shaeu said drunkenly, her face flushed. She thrust a half-filled bottle into my hand. “Drink, this is a celebration!”

  “It sure is.” I ughed, gulping directly from the bottle, feeling the fiery sting in my throat. “Yes, it most certainly is…”

  ShipTeaser