Of course, you're not a child! I said quickly. You are clearly a mature adult who is more than capable of handling herself!

Tama looked at me suspiciously for a long moment before asking “Why are you saying lots of nice things to me?” It was clear that she was even more perceptive than I had given her credit for.

Tama began to reach for Katana at her hip as her eyes narrowed. I panicked and did something I hadn’t done in a long time. I directly told the truth. “Okay look, the truth is I am looking for someone and I need help, I was planning on tricking those guys you killed into helping me. Since you killed them, I no longer have anyone to help me. So technically, this is your fault.”

Tama paused at that, her hand hovering on her blade for a moment before slowly nodding. “That makes sense, Tama misunderstood what was happening. She thought those men wanted to hurt you. They said lots of things that sounded very bad.”

"That is obviously true," Saki said, not even trying to be circumspect at this point. "I planned on charming them to get them to do what I wanted." Tama looked at me puzzled and I sighed. It means, I leaned in and whispered "That I was going to use a special skill I have to make them want to do what I asked of them."

I paused as I realized how casually I told this random girl I just met one of my biggest secrets like it was common practice and began to wonder if I was the one being charmed. I mean it was clear she had been threatening me only a moment ago and yet I felt oddly at peace near her. Like she would protect me.. like my mother. Internally I winced at the memory.

"Tama thinks mind control is bad!" She said this with a raised eyebrow, but she made no threatening moves and me. "Yes, I agree mind control is bad!" I said emphatically, "But my charm is not mind control, it's more like manipulating emotions to make people like you more!”

Tama frowned at that for a moment before her eyes went wide in realization. "So wait, it's like saying pretty please with ice cream on top!” I stared at the catgirl for what felt like an eternity trying to comprehend the pure incomprehensible stupidity of her words.

Finally, I gave up and simply nodded “Yes, that’s right, it's like saying pretty please with ice cream on top.” I didn’t add any fluff, I simply stated my response with an edge of sarcasm.

“Tama knew it! She is very clever, you know!” She said with a wide smile. I resisted the urge to facepalm. The truth was that despite my misgivings. I really liked this girl, she was innocent, kind, and heroic.

I was hesitant, but the reality is regardless of how I felt. I needed her and she owed me for this. Even if she disagreed with my methods. She would definitely see that.

“So, you will help me right?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

She seemed to consider it before nodding. “While Tama doesn't like your tricks, Tama did mess up your plan. As long as your plan is not bad I will help.”

I sighed in relief, that was good. What was even better if disconcerting was the fact that I genuinely believed her. She truly would help if she felt the cause was right.

“Actually, Tama was wondering if you could help her with something after too.” The cat girl suddenly said, throwing me completely off guard.

I froze as I realized I had started to trust this girl like it was nothing. I quickly hid my emotions before asking "And.. what would that be?"

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Tama needs to get to this city place called Arrisaille, after Tama helps you, can you tell Tama where that is?”

I actually felt shame at myself for thinking this girl would actually ask something nefarious of me.

A ludicrous feeling as I shouldn't trust her this much to begin with. But it's like my very nature as a Kitsune made me want to help her.

The void within me of course said what it always said. Erase her. It repeated the phrase again and again in the background.

I sighed as I once again warred with myself in an endless struggle. One I wasn't sure I could win.

Finally, I pushed the melancholy and thoughts away. Instead, I stepped forward and held out my hand, Taking hers.

"I really appreciate this," I said with genuine appreciation, causing me to feel slightly uncomfortable. Let's get your badge and we can get started.

She looked at me strangely causing me to feel even more uncomfortable. After a long moment, she finally spoke.

“Why are your breasts so big?” I stared at her in stunned silence, mouth agape at the insane question.

"Well.. it's... I.." I stuttered at a complete loss for words. Suddenly she turned towards the town gates, her ears perking up before nodding to herself.

I was almost scared to know what she was nodding about. But after a moment she once again spoke and I felt relief.

“So, where do I get this adventure thingy badge”

I sighed in relief at the change of topic. My recent and sudden bout of honesty had been disconcerting to me the more I thought about it. I actually felt a strong desire to tell her the truth.

And the truth.. that my humanoid form was specifically created by Nature to.. influence friends and enemies.

My body was specifically made to attract the people around me.

Was a gateway subject I really didn't want to discuss. Oh, that's because I'm actually a nine-tailed kitsune with ethereal capabilities on a revenge quest to kill the horrible monsters who destroyed my forest and killed my family.

Yeah, wasn't exactly the most pleasant topic. Even the thought made me wince.

And yet, for some reason, if this cat girl looked at me and asked, I would tell her. I didn't know why, but I knew I would.

I quickly nodded and pointed to the gate. "Follow me!" For some reason, I felt excited. Like this was meant to be.

Tama nodded and we set off to the gate. The guards looked at us as we approached, but said nothing as we passed.

I made my way through the streets, Tama close behind. Her head almost seemed to be on a swivel I noticed. Everything was brand new to her.

She kept asking questions and I couldn't help but smile at her antics. It was oddly comforting to see someone so genuine and full of life. I hadn't seen that since…

I cut that train of thought instantly. I knew where that led and I wanted nothing to do with it.

We had made it about halfway through the road when I heard a yelp of pain. Turning quickly I saw a man holding his wrist, a bloody stump where his hand had been.

He looked at the girl in front of him in terror. Said the girl, obviously Tama, was glaring up at him.

I tried not to laugh. I knew it was serious. But looking at Tama, who was the same height as me, maybe an inch taller at most. Glaring up at a man who looked to be at least 6 inches taller than her was comedic, to put it mildly.

What was even funnier was that I knew Tama could kill everyone in the town before the guards could even raise their swords if she wanted to.

I knew she wouldn't do that though. I don't know why I knew that. But I just did. The same things that told me to trust her also made me feel like she wasn't a murderer.

It was clear by the brutal slice that the man had most likely tried to pickpocket Tama. A costly mistake on their part.

As expected, a guard appeared after a few moments and I quickly stepped in. I dressed him down, clearly a young man in his early twenties wearing polished leather armor. Visually. He had short brown hair and brown eyes. He stood at around 6 feet tall and confidently held himself. This was a man who cared about appearance.

I stepped into the conversation right as Tama responded to the guard “This man tried to steal from Tama! So Tama removed his hand!” The guard looked at the cat girl disapprovingly and opened his mouth to speak. I cut in before he could speak.

“I am appalled that the city guard would allow common thieves in this city! I thought you people were supposed to uphold honor and righteousness, the mere fact this young cat girl had to step in for you is a disgrace!” I made sure to emphasize his station and his failure specifically.

The guard reacted exactly as I expected and stiffened. I had just insulted his pride and honor after all. “I am sorry ma’am that this happened” He stated quickly before continuing. “However, It is not appropriate to take matters like these into your own hands, you must report this to the guards!”

Inwardly I smirked, putting on a face of anger and disappointment I spoke “So you expected my friend here to just be robbed? Honestly, it should have never reached this point! You should thank her for doing your job for you!”

The man, already standing still, actually looked about to cry. I went in for the killing blow “Look, we can just put this behind us, what do you say? You take this horrible thief away, and me and my friend will keep this between us!”

I saw the man actively looking around, a few people had looked over but the conversation up to this point had been quiet enough that no one had heard. After a moment he cleared his face and looked down at the three people. "I thank you citizens for helping me make this arrest. While I could have easily handled this, Your help was invaluable." He said loudly enough for everyone to hear as he grabbed the thief and dragged him over to him.

I said nothing, only smiled as the guard dragged the thief away. After that, no one tried to pickpocket us.

I sighed in relief as we finally reached the adventurers' guild. The last visit had not gone well, but with Tama at my side, this would be a whole different ball game! I pointed to the sign now above my head "We are here!" I said with a grin and a wink.

Tama looked at the sign for a long time. Before looking down at me and asking “What’s that saying?” I paused for a moment as realization struck me like a runaway cart. Tama couldn’t read, It was so ridiculous and yet so obvious in retrospect.

I looked at her with a genuinely amused smile “It says ‘Adventurers Guild’ Tama”. She nodded looking at the sign for another moment before looking back at me with a determined look. “Okay, Tama is ready!”

Confused at her determined expression, but ready to get this over with, I opened the double doors and walked in, Tama on my heels.