The adventure in the cat realm

Chapter 4

Panicked, I look at Tama as the guards bear down on us.

- This way, Tama yells. He grabs my hand, and we quickly rush through several alleys.

After racing around another corner, he pulls me into a doorway. I watch Tama's ears twitch as he listens intently.

- Okay. They've passed, Tama says. I let out the breath I'd been holding, relieved.

- How did you know where to go, I ask. Tama shrugs.

- None of Yama's guards are pure cats. Once they lose sight of us, it's hard for them to find us again. And since my hearing is better, I can just keep leading us further and further from where they're looking, Tama says.

- Wow. You're amazing, Tama, I say. He smiles, blushing slightly.

- Ah, well. I've had more than a few run-ins with Yama and her guards. Even lost one of my lives because of it, Tama says. Without thinking, I throw my arms around him, overwhelmed.

- Thank you, Tama, I say. Tama puts his arms around me, hugging me back briefly before pulling away. We carefully make our way back to his apartment.

I wake up the next morning sensing something's off. Frowning, I go to the mirror, and what I see causes my mouth to drop. At the top of my head are two small, furry nubs. I touch the soft little bumps in disbelief, and feel my hands start to shake.

- Is this really happening to me, I ask in my head.

- What am I going to do, I say. With a quick knock, Tama pokes his head through the doorway.

- Kira, are you awake, Tama asks.

- Yeah, I say. Curious, Tama comes further into the room and stands behind me.

- Ah. Your ears are starting to come in, huh, Tama says. I nod, touching them again as I gaze into the mirror.

- I didn't realize it would happen so fast, I say.

- You know, I might have something that could help, Tama says. He goes into the living room, coming back with a small box.

- Maybe it can help stop the transformation, I say in my head.

- What is it, I ask. He opens up the box, and I see a curved, comma-shaped bead. It's about the size of the palm of my hand and made of pale pink stone.

- I stole it from Yama's castle a while ago. It's supposed to help to slow the transformation somewhat. I risked one of my nine lives to get it, but, Tama says. He pulls the bead out, holding it up by a dark leather cord.

- If it can help you, that makes it worth it, Tama says. He puts the cord around my neck, and I stare down at the talisman.

- Thank you, I say. Then he takes my arm, leading me into the living room.

As we sit down, I look around Tama's apartment, thoughtful.

- Why do you continue to stay here, anyway. I mean, I know things at home weren't that great, but. It doesn't seem like it's all that great here either, with the witch and everything, I say. Tama sighs, looking at the floor.

- I've got my reasons. I want to make things right, Tama says. He runs a hand across his face.

- You know, back in the human world, there wasn't much I could do to help you. Between your dad leaving, and your mother getting sick. I hated just seeing that happen to you without being able to do anything. If I stay here, I can actually help you, Tama says. I smile as I take Tama's hand, and he looks away shyly.