Ichi couldn't give Danberu an answer. It really was one stupid thing after another with him. The pattern of nothing going how he planned began to dawn on Ichi like the rising sun. Was there any escape? At least a solution that didn't involve continuing to rely on Renya or Rikya. He fell into a dreamlike state of fantasy, wondering why he came to the Spirit World in the first place. If he could do it all again, with the knowledge and abilities he has now...

Well, he wouldn't have Avalon if he didn't 'win' against Renya. Really, that settled that matter. Involvement with Renya was a must, Syon and Myon, however...

And that was Ichi's thinking as he stared blankly at Tanuki Lord Danberu.

Danberu noticed the shellshock Ichi was experiencing at a glance. He had seen many green soldiers charge into battle only to come back nursing serious wounds to both their body and pride. Other tanuki would take great merriment teasing the unfortunate soul, but Danberu was different.

It could also be said that the reason Danberu was able to hold his position as Tanuki Lord was because he was different. And he threw great parties.

But that was far from Danberu's mind as he studied the blue grey bakeneko. Danberu placed Ichi down like a glass doll and approached Avar's striking range.

Avar didn't flinch despite the tanuki's gigantic weight thudding near him. He got a sense that Danberu was sensible, and Danberu himself had the same sentiment.

Besides, Danberu felt something familiar about this cat. He couldn't say what. Avar greeted Danberu as he approached while sheathing his sword.

"I sense no bloodlust in your posture, Tanuki. Your bearing is impressive, if only there were more spirits of your caliber then I could take life a lot easier."

"Thank you. The same seems to be true of you. All bakeneko I have met of this new breed are nothing but thugs, however, you are acting against your own kind. As the ruler of that fortress over there, I am grateful for your service in ridding my land of needless pests."

Danberu's stern glare didn't phase Avar in the slightest. On the contrary, Avar was too busy relishing in the fact he met a tanuki to bother to be concerned. However, the tanuki's words rubbed him the wrong way.

"Wouldn't you say that it is their behavior that is needless, rather than their lives?"

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Danberu looked around at the ring of cat corpses lining Avar's position.

"From where I am standing, their lives appear to have much less value to you than to me."

Avar laughed, his paw going to the back of his head unconsciously.

"I've only got one trick when it comes to dealing with others, and it's at swordpoint. So please, excuse me."

Danberu's face softened.

"I am Tanuki Lord Danberu. Your name?"

"Avar. I was told I am a Bakeneko Lord, though it is a mystery how I achieved such a title."

Danberu stroked the bottom of his maw.

"Then, how do you know? 'Bakeneko Lord', I thought it was a legend."

"I have had many swear fealty to me, on sight even, they immediately obey my orders, while others attack. One bakeneko called Tufts claims to have been in the service of a bakeneko lord for years, he has been guiding me, though I am ignoring his council..."

Danberu reassessed the situation as he continued his questioning. He was dealing with a bakeneko who could control other bakeneko, but would cause other bakeneko to fly into a rage. After a few minutes of conversation with Avar, he resolved to meet with Tufts. Going straight to the source would be best.

Manipulating Avar became an intriguing prospect in Danberu's mind.

Ichi, however, was lost in frustration. He followed behind Avar and Danberu, Avar giving him looks and comments as they made their way to a cave in a mountain. Avar hoped to find out about Ichi's strange attack, but even Danberu dissuaded him from asking.

In Danberu's mind he thought Ichi was just unwilling to kill. In Ichi's mind, he could only think that this was somehow Syon's fault. He knew it was irrational to blame her, but his sour mood didn't allow him much freedom of awareness. Like when he found out when he was a druid, it was another stupid thing he didn't know about himself.

As they reached the cave Ichi began to think that maybe he ought to get used to it. After all, he wasn't Renya, who could solve any problem and then be busy thinking about the next one. If he asked Renya straight about it, would she be able to figure it out?

A short fat cat with white paws greeted them at the cave entrance. He kneeled before Danberu.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lord. I am Tufts, the guide and servant of the latest Bakeneko Lord, Avar."

Danberu probed Tufts for info and Avar nodded at Tufts to explain further. Avar didn't have much of a connection to his title besides recognizing that he should at least be responsible.

"So, these Bakeneko Lords were all killed by the Tengu, and that had the effect of unleashing the rapid growth and migration of the bakeneko across all nations in the Spirit World. However, it isn't possible for a Bakeneko Lord to exist without a supposed 'cat of balance', is that correct?"

Danberu summed up what Tufts told him, however Tufts shook his head.

"It is unknown how a bakeneko attains the abilities of a Bakeneko Lord. Some say that is it a matter of character, spirit, or magical might, but all of these have been disproven. The 'cat of balance' is an existence that is sacrificed to the Tengu. The Tengu have always threatened war if current 'cat of balance' is not sacrificed. It was a mystery even among the Bakeneko Lord I served. When the 'cat of balance' went missing the Tengu killed all seven Bakeneko Lords at once."