The Ninth Life of Min Yoon Gi

6.

The black cat was confused. He had never seen her like that before. He stayed at that place longer than he usually would, lost in his thoughts, the sun starting to set and the temperature dropping. He stayed amongst the bushes, sheltering from the wind chill, but still watching the door, his instincts telling him something wasn't right.

Hours had passed before the door swung open and the young woman exited, bundled up in a warm jacket and scarf, a backpack strapped to her back. She walked around to the front of the building and crossed the street, a small dark shadow following behind her.

He trailed the young woman, curiously, cautiously, as she walked the streets, heading up the hill. He was starting to lose interest in her when she suddenly turned into a temple garden.

He paused at the entrance. Something seemed strangely familiar about the place. He felt a sense of dread, though he couldn't remember why.

The grounds were deserted as she crossed to the open temple. Tentatively, he took a few steps into the grounds, then a few more when nothing happened. He followed her up the steps and watched from behind a pillar as she kneeled in front of a young man wearing traditional hanbok.

"I'm just so tired," she was saying softly.

The young man had an angelic face and was looking at her with concern on his brow, listening.

"I haven't been alone in so long... I just... I don't want to go on in this world if I have to be alone anymore." She wiped a tear from her eye.

The young man spoke softly, "What is it you're asking, lovely?"

"I guess what I'm saying is, can you maybe send someone my way? So that I won't feel so alone?"

She slowly stood, the young man moving toward her and wrapping his arms around her in a hug.

"You'll be alright," he whispered in her ear before releasing her.

She stood for a moment, then bowed before turning to leave.

He shrunk back behind the pillar to keep from being seen as he watched the young woman go. He turned his attention back to the young man who had laid down on the offering table, one foot dangling off the side, humming to himself.

This inhumanly beautiful creature before him was fascinating. He slowly stepped out and moved to sit where the young woman had kneeled before, staring intently up at the reclined figure, his tail slowly twitching behind him.

"Yes, what can I do for you," the young man asked lazily as he turned his head to look at the black cat sitting before him.

The cat held his position as the young man tumbled off the table in shock, somehow managing to not dislodge any of the surface's contents.

"You!"

The cat blinked at him. Did he know him?

"Min... Min Yoon Gi!"

The cat's ears twitched. Why did that sound familiar? Was that his name?

"Where have you been? I was looking for you!" The young man sat in front of the black cat, smiling excitedly. "I thought you may already be gone."

The cat cocked his head to the side, curious.

"Look, I want to help you." He leaned in conspiratorially. "I don't want to see you punished for eternity."

What the hell is he talking about? The cat thought. Wait... what is happening? The cat realized he'd never thought words before.

"I know the others haven't exactly been helpful. I've been trying to gather information for what they expect. I'm sorry it's taken so long, but I think I know how to break the curse this time."

The cat shifted nervously from paw to paw. The words were starting to make sense, like a memory being pulled from deep inside.

"I'm surprised to see you this soon, tho," the man leaned back, crossing his arms across his chest. "You were here not that long ago, I thought. Wait, can you even understand me?"

The cat nodded his head slowly, yes! What is going on?

"Okay, but not able to speak yet?"

Speak? How would I speak? He blinked slowly.

"The fact that you're here early means we can create a game plan. Do you have a target yet?"

The cat quirked his head to the side. What do you mean a target? Target for what?

"Wait, do you not remember why you're a cat yet?"

I have always been a cat! This human must be insane.

"Come here," the man leaned down and gestured for the cat to come closer.

Hesitantly, the cat stood and approached the man.

"Touch your forehead to mine," the man instructed.

The cat switched his tail irritably. Why would he do such a thing? To a stranger, no less!

"Trust me. I can show you your memories."

The cat was quite curious about that. What memories was he speaking of? He took another step closer, sniffed the man's forehead, then gently bumped it with his own.

*

"You will live as a cat, only returning to your human form after touching another human, during which time you must prove you can care for other humans. If you fail, you will stay a cat forever and lose all aspects of humanity." The commanding voice was speaking.

Yoon Gi, that was him, glared at the shadowy figure. "What do you want me to do? Adopt a baby?"

"No, you wouldn't keep it alive and we have too many young spirits to manage right now," the sincere voice spoke.

"Then what? If you're giving me this test, you have to tell me how to pass it."

"You will remain a human when you show you can be compassionate." The deep voice explained.

"Compassion is for the weak!"

*

"What the hell?"

The young man and the cat looked at each other in shock.

"Did you... did you speak?"

The cat's eyes widened as he backed away from the human in front of him.

"Yoon Gi! I didn't know that would happen, but this is great. Now we can start planning." The man smiled, making his eyes momentarily close into crescent moons.

"How can I be speaking?" Yoon Gi asked, his mouth carefully forming the words.

"My powers must have unlocked your voice when we touched."

"Who the hell are you?" Yoon Gi practically hissed. He didn't like this. He didn't understand what was going on and he definitely didn't like it. He just wanted to go take a nap.

"You can call me Ji Min." He reached out and patted Yoon Gi's head.

Yoon Gi swatted his hand, almost catching it with his claws.

"Don't touch me." Yoon Gi muttered.

"You haven't changed at all," Ji Min smiled.

"Look, I don't understand what the hell is going on here so I would appreciate it if you would explain before I decide my time is better spent elsewhere."

"Okay, okay, goyang-i. Centuries ago your family ruled this area, but you did not care for its people or the land. Hating what they saw, the spirits of this land gathered together and decided to teach you a lesson. They cursed you to live as a cat until you could change your ways. If you can't prove that you know what it means to care for someone, you'll live as a cat for eternity."

"I've lived as a cat this long, what's the difference?"

"I see we have our work cut out for us." Ji Min shook his head.