The city was reeling from the chaos caused due to the consequences of a certain cat but the recovery effort was going surprisingly well.
Sure it wasn't a painless process, a few peasants died in the initial incident, however that could hardly compare to the new lord getting access to the vault again. With access to the resources held within; it was far easier to not only rebuild but improve. Plus he had no interest in reducing his extra earnings.
For those in the central city things were great. They had more money than they knew what to do with so various projects began - seeing the tragedy as a chance to enlighten themselves. This, of course, comes at the cost of the source of their increased wealth… Those in the outer city.
Those gangs that helped support the city did their best to continue supporting it; or rather support the rich and powerful who liked to overlook their actions or helped them. Upping their various activities to the point it was difficult to find a street without at least a couple of them. Sometimes leading to confrontation.
Afterall, the undercurrents weren't united.
Conflicts constantly erupted making the already chaotic slums all the worse - sometimes even drawing a little too closely to the lord's manor. Those in power using the ruffians to target one another. Any losses made from either side could just be solved by targeting the lowest cast.
| We should have captured that beast when we had the chance! |
| Chehehe~ scathing~. |
And (even if she was partly to blame for this explosion of activity) the cat in question did not give much of a hoot about any of that. Instead of worrying about that she merrily walked beside Rukia as the two slowly made their way down the street. Clearly having no weight on her conscience.
She wasn't a human so why would she care about human problems or their mortals; it was all just humans being humans.
Adorable if nothing else.
Plus it wasn't exactly helpful that it wasn't exactly as if she hadn't splashed about in muddy water during her previous life. She practically ruled those waters. So such a situation was quite literally too "small scale" for her to really pay attention or even care about.
"Do you think it was really an evil spirit Mr Nyanyo?"
Clicking her tongue as she purposefully turned away from the little girl in an act of pure defiance. Though that pesky brat was completely oblivious to her "pets" small act of insurgency. Rather focusing on tapping her chin as she pondered her own question with her gaze slowly falling on those twin cat tails.
"I think yokai really exist since you are one, right, Nyanyo!"
Finally something that Rukia said (her art cannot be included as it would be unfair) left that all knowing little kitten to freeze. Turning to look towards the child with a raised brow. Slightly amused but also curious about what led the little girl to that conclusion… At least until she noticed where the brats gaze fell.
Noticing that all of that attention was drawn on her tail caused a sigh to escape from her tiny maw before she continued to saunter on once more. Rukia who still didn't understand the cat's personality couldn't help radiate pride in her genius. Confidently crossing her arms in front of her chest as she followed along.
"Makes perfect sense with how smart you are and don't even eat with us!"
am smart!>
Snorting with a sassy whip of her twin tails at that same girl's nearest leg. Making Rukia jump in more shock than pain - sending that girl backwards as the cat didn't bother to even look at her. A scene that got her to pout while running to catch up with that pesky cat.
"Did you think you could get away without giving us what we are owed?!"
"Doesn't look like she'll even be able to pay up…"
"That's fine since she'll be pretty enough to make up the difference~."
However it seemed that today wasn't set to be a joyous day as the pair soon ran into trouble.
Although that trouble wasn't troublesome for them.
In front of them were a bunch of thugs surrounding a young enough woman who could only look up at them as she crawled back into a wall. Didn't take a genius to figure out what was happening here. It was a scene that had been happening all over the city for as long as either of the "young" pair could remember.
There were few depths that the cat hadn't witnessed humanity dive into for what may as well have been considered insignificant benefits. Ruining thousands if not millions of people's lives didn't matter as long as corporate profits increased by a single percent over last year. To be human means to be sinful.
And, despite having grown up in such a destitute society, Rukia did not even give a second thought before she picked up a stone then threw it off the head of one of the thugs.
"WHO THE HELL; GO FIND WHOEVER DARED DO THAT!"
Blood dripped from the back of his head as he quickly ordered the other two to find whoever was responsible while he tended to his wound. Grumbling as none of them suspected Rukia. The reason for that was quite simple.
That clever girl already ran off.
She didn't stick around like a fool to challenge them (smarter than the cat gave her credit for) but instead quickly ducked into an alley where she hid behind a rogue plank of wood. So small that, when one of those thugs looked down the backstreet, he never thought to look behind it. Showing she was talented.
At least in her own way.
"Come out already!"
"Things'll only get worse for you if you hide!"
Of course those men wouldn't see a cat and think that they did it so completely ignored the twin tailed pussy cat who nonchalantly studied her own claws. Appearing to have no interest in helping her charge with her own problems. A strong believer in more spartan child rearing.
However, it only took a few minutes of searching before the two got annoyed, that woman had already taken advantage of their search to run away. Knowing they couldn't return without anything to show for it quickly caused their annoyance to become anger. Anger they immediately wanted to exert.
"Fuck!"
One of them screamed as they walked by the cat only to break out into a jaunt before quickly sending them forward with the desire to punt that feline.
But who was that cat?
She just simply stepped back which made the kicks completely miss; sending the man off balance to fall face first into the dirt. That caught the attention of his friend who began to laugh. Since he couldn't turn that anger on his companion that meant he could only focus on getting revenge on that cat.
"You little rat!"
Pushing himself up with one hand while the other reached out in a poor attempt to grab the kitty by the scuff of her neck. Once more that cat nimbly dodged yet she wasn't one to give mercy twice. Rather than increasing the distance between them - the cat charged towards the thug.
His shock was obvious as he tried to pull away from that cat nevertheless he couldn't compare to the agility of a regular house cat let alone her. Swiftly leaping at his face while her claws draw an ugly picture across that ugly mug. Obviously eliciting quite the scream as he retreated in a mixture of pain & fear.
Not towards the cat… But rather the accuracy of that attack.
Leaving him unable to see anything except red.
"I-I CAN'T SEE!"
Hearing that made his friend promptly stop himself from laughing as the cold realisation of how serious this was overcame both of them. It didn't take long for the two to hurriedly run away. The one with his eyes still untouched supporting his now blinded friend as that mischievous cat just watched on.
Snorting at the idiot who thought he could attempt to harm her without being harmed in turn - even after she was gracious as to not retaliate immediately.
Licking the blood from her claw as a smug smile appeared on that fuzzy face.
"Mister Nyanyo!"
It didn't take long after those thugs disappeared for the little troublemaking cause to come charging out and practically tackle the little black cat. Quickly burying her face in the soft fur. Hugging her supposed pet with as much strength as her little arms could provide.
She thought but also didn't push herself out of the girl's grasp.
"That was so scary-"
Rolling her eyes at that silly girl but still did nothing to stop her from venting.
"-why do they have to be so mean, aren't we all human?"
Hearing that complaint, the cat could only shake her head. Since it was due to being humans that the trio could rationalise such actions. Most animals didn't have the ability to rationalise their actions and as soon as one evolves to rationalise they begin to introduce morals that they break.
"*sigh* This makes my head hurt, let's just hurry back to Hisana-nee, Nyanyo!"
Rukia just lifted up the cat as she began to head back to their little hut; the only place that the little girl could think of as being safe in that accursed city.