I comfortably lay asleep in Xiang Qing's arms, enjoying his tenderness and warmth. Yin Zi didn't teach me what I should or shouldn't do in this sort of situation, and neither was there an answer on my cheat sheet therefore I ignored all responsibilities and just focused on enjoying his presence.
Xiang Qing brought me back to where his courtyard was and brought a bowl with kitchen leftovers for me. These things naturally didn't suit my appetite, so I pushed the bowl away with my paws to indicate dissatisfaction. After a moment of thought, he went back to the kitchen, this time bringing back some steamed bread. I sniffed the food, and then tasted it, but still didn't feel like eating it.
"What do you want to eat in order to be satisfied?" Xiang Qing was extremely helpless. Once again, he went back to the kitchen and brought back a roasted fish. This time, I was very happy. I walked over and brushed my tail past him to express my praises.
Xiang Qing picked me up, and swept a glance towards the surroundings, "You.....could it be that because you're so picky and wouldn't hunt mice, that your owner abandoned you?"
The sound of thunder crashing and tearing apart my cat's self-esteem could be heard. Although I didn't eat mice, but how can a cat not hunt! As I sharpened my claws ready to show Xiang Qing a demonstration of my power, I remembered my oath with the Buddha to never kill again. I could only fold my ears and accept this tragic reality.
"It doesn't matter, there is a small stream on this mountain that houses many fish. And since I like making fish soup, I can still afford to raise you." With a smile, Xiang Qing brought into his embrace and rubbed my head to comfort. He seemed to have suddenly thought of something, and quickly ordered, "Cats also need discipline, you are not allowed to defecate on the bed so you must go outside to do your business!"
Once again, with a bang, my self-esteem was gone.
My last threads of self-esteem had been shredded by this jerk. Without any realization, he placed me down and continued to practice his sword techniques. After finishing the meal, I hopped onto the windowsill, basked in the glimmering sunlight, and watched him with a warm heart. I felt that if we continued to live like this, it wouldn't be so bad.
My only condition though, was that there not be so many female cats so that I wouldn't need to compete for affection! Thinking back to his womanizing ways.....I became even more furious. I pounced onto him and blatantly took a bite out of his thigh before hopping back on his bed to take a nap. I was afraid he would be angry so I turned my head in his direction. He wasn't a tiny bit furious and just shook his powerlessly. He went to fetch a bucket of water, took the upper half of his garments off, and started to wipe his body soaked in sweat.
Meow woo~ His body was still the same as in the past with, stiff and firm muscles, a slender waist, strong and dexterous limbs, and a very symmetric body line. I excitedly climbed to the foot of the bed and stared in befuddlement. As he started to head back to the room, I immediately buried my head into the blankets and pretended to sleep.
Xiang Qing had a very relaxed expression, his body that was washed with the water from the well emitted coldness. Slowly his body warmed back up. I casually climbed onto his body and snuggled into a ball of mass on his chest. He stretched his hands to touch my fur before falling asleep.
The sound of Xiang Qing's heartbeat felt so familiar, like a slow lullaby to my ears. This was the most comfortable sleep I've had in over five hundred years. I didn't dream of him leaving me anymore, nor did I dream of not being able to find him. I knew that the person I was looking for was right here with me, and that the person I love has returned.
Really good.....let's live like this, don't push me away anymore, and don't leave me alone. I don't want to wake up from this dream.....
I knew, he eventually had to wake up. With a turn of his body, I had also awoken. He stretched his back and then doubtfully glanced to the window, and said, "How could I oversleep?"
I had also stumbled to open my eyes, realizing that night had already fallen. I arched my back and elegantly sat by the bedside watching Xiang Qing carry a pile of books.
His semblance appeared very attentive while studying, I was also very attentive while observing him. I watched him until Yin Zi had arrived outside making a 'ehem' sound, causing me realize I had forgotten to return.....
As Xiang Qing turned his head to the sound, Yin Zi put on a gentle and lovable expression, "Brother Xiang, so you are the one who lives here."
"En." Xiang Qing stood up, "Is there anything you need?"
"Ah, what a cute little cat!" Yin Zi cried out with joy and hurriedly approached with a beaming smile, "Can I touch it?"
"Of course."
Yin Zi tightly grabbed hold of my waist and brought me outside of Xiang Qing's room. He whispered, "What in the world were you doing?"
"Meow woo~, I.....I was sleeping with Shifu." I was a little embarrassed.
"Sleep my ass! I'm about to go crazy from searching for you!" Yin Zi was so angry he was about to become a fire-spitting crow, "Be careful of how you act so we don't get exposed! And do you even know what your ridiculous words mean?!"
"But I really was sleeping with Shifu!" I speedily replied.
"Good, good," Yin Zi viciously knocked my head, "Then you can continue accompanying him as a cat for the rest of your life!"
"I can't, like this it's not appropriate to speak with him." I hurriedly grabbed hold of Yin Zi to admit my faults. I played roll and coaxed him for half a day before I could calm him.
"Stupid cat, just stay here for a while, and then secretly leave when no one's looking. Change back into your human and be careful you aren't seen." Yin Zi was very helpless, he turned back to the room and with a big smile, said, "Brother Xiang, I'll be leaving so you can have your cat back."
Xiang Qing reached to grab a hold of me, hesitantly asking, "Miss Miao Miao.....is she okay?"
"Very good, she's very good. Right now she is sleeping in her room." Yin Zi made up an excuse, "Why? Is something wrong?"
"It's nothing, I was just casually asking." Xiang Qing's voice was still as indifferent as before, "It is getting late, and this is the lodging of the male disciples. Miss Yin Zi should head early."
"Alright." Yin Zi turned around and walked towards the exit, but before leaving he threw me a cold knife-like glance. Seeing this, I swiftly nodded my head to express that I would obediently listen to him.
Xiang Qing's thighs were really comfortable and relaxing. Only after a long time did I reluctantly part from them. I jumped to the ground and while he wasn't paying attention, I secretly exited through the doors, changed back into my human form, and returned to mine and Yin Zi's room.
When I returned, Yin Zi gave me a long lecture and preached about my wrongdoings. Even so, I was still forgiven and happily slept the night away. In my dream, Xiang Qing had a cat on his left, a cat on his right, and a cat on his thighs. They looked very happy, and there was not the slightest room for me to budge in.
Hateful, too hateful! Dream awakened, it was already the next morning. I quietly sneaked away and ran to the mountains. I was determined to drive away all of those shameless cats so that there would be no trouble in the future.
Unexpectedly, Xiang Qing was already in mountain's forest, he waved a small fish around and whispered, "Ah Hua? Ah Hua, where are you?"
Uh.....what should I do now?
Xiang Qing repeatedly waved the fish around while quietly called out, "Ah Hua, where are you?"