Chapter 92

Yokan stared at it, dumbfounded, before bringing a paw to his grazed cheek. He…missed? Yokan turned back to observe his foe. Bisco was shaking, though due to what, he could not tell. And then he saw it. Bisco’s aim had been true. It was the single claw that sprouted from his finger and cut the bowstring that had led to his misfired shot. Wh-what the…?! Catitis had struck. Bisco froze as whiskers sprouted from his face and as ears grew from atop his head. Wh-what’s goin’ on? What’s happenin’ to me? “Bizarre! A human, becoming a cat?” Bisco didn’t even react as Yokan came closer to observe. Bisco watched as his fingers turned into claws one after the other, and his catlike eyes flared wide. “This can only be divine intervention,” said Yokan. “If only you had renounced your wicked ways when I gave you the chance. Then Byoshoten would not have seen fit to punish you so.” “Grh…! Dammit!” “Now it is farewell.” Yokan’s blade glimmered in the moonlight. He pondered the man’s fate for a moment before steeling his resolve and preparing to strike. But just then… “My lieeeege!! Stay your sword!” “Hmm?” It was the tailor, Senbei. “You must not kill this man, my liege! Please listen!” “What is it, Senbei? Do you know him?” “These humans were sent by Byoshoten!” Senbei explained. “This man’s partner is at the castle as we speak. He brings with him a cure for the Rust!” “A cure?!” Yokan was shocked. He didn’t know how to process this sudden, and apparently credible, godsend. “Return to the castle, my liege. The humans would like to speak with you.” “So…they are not servants of Amakusa?” “I swear on my mother’s shoebox! If I am good for one thing, sire, it is my judgment of felinality! Or in this case, I suppose it would be ‘person’ality!” “If you are in the mood for jokes, my good mog, then what you say must be true. Very well. Take me to this human worker of miracles.” “Of course, my liege. Right this way!” Senbei scurried off, and Yokan made to follow…but first, he turned and approached the ragged Bisco. “Pardon me,” he said. “It appears I made a rather severe error in judgment. But if you were no villain, then why did you not simply say so?” “Argh, just shut up…and kill me…before I kill you!” “What a splendid fellow! I think you and I are going to get on swimmingly!” Then Yokan threw the half-catified Bisco over his shoulder and moved dexterously on all fours toward the castle.