Chapter 001: -Or Not

Within a forest of bamboo; the light from the morning peeked out through the various pillars of nature that made up the little grove. This upset the little black fluffball who was peacefully resting within the depths. A faint tremble went through her as her body fought with her mind about the right to wake up.

Most would find pleasure in waking up to the warming rays of the sun yet she was never a fortunate person so could only hiss at the feeling of her skin already blistering up.

<Wait… >

It was then that she realised something… Dead people don't "wake up to the sun" and she should know on account of her having gathered quite a lot of information on the afterlife. There were different places where different people went, however she doubted that "best friend" of hers let her go.

Hell was the only destination for her.

Opening her eyes allowed for her to confirm that the pesky sun was indeed strutting around the sky as if it owned the place. But she also confirmed that she had lost connection with her jupiter brains. There was also no sign of her alternative selves bumming about using their connection.

The silence within her mind was almost eerie; fortunately she was quite used to being eerie so was more than fine taking it in stride. Her crimson eyes did not stop as they darted around the area. Of course she recognised the flora (or at least had something similar to compare) so quickly got an idea of the weather.

Furthermore she felt that the energy in this place was… Pitiful.

<At least I can confirm it's a mortal realm>

"Nyahaha~!"

With such thoughts, she decided to get a better look at her surroundings, standing up with ease which was actually the first thing that shocked her. Lifting her little paws to her face as she fell on her fluffy butt. No matter where she looked she lacked the scarred & necrotic flesh that she had grown used to.

She was never an undead but that didn't mean she didn't look like she could pass for one. Unable to eat left her naturally gaunt and her allergy to sunlight left her as pale as they came. Another shock came as she felt her tails touch something that was behind her; something that was impossible before.

Her own wonderful tail (singular) having long been cut short.

Jumping in startle at the strange experience of actually having a regular - if not slightly longer - as well as double the tail than she did before. Soon running in a circle as she tried to get a good look at her brand new & newly recovered appendage. Thankfully it is an easy task for a flexible cat like her.

<At least flexibility is one thing I never lost but… OH YEA! That dunce of a god actually dropped me within the cycle reincarnation which means should have been reborn. Likely that faulty just threw out into some far off realm due to not being able squeeze anywhere normal.>

Soon coming to sit down again as her paw patted her fuzzy chin for a while until she finally got sick of the itching caused by the sun above.

<Okay, a lot of this honestly doesn't make sense, why can't I connect with the network alternative me's just because died? Why is that god end such bumbling fool? And most important all… Where can find some cover from celestial terrorist?!>

The grumpy granny couldn't help hissing some more as she bounced up once more on all fours before she sauntered over till she could take shade under an actual tree. A lone tree that overlooked the grove as well as allowing her to see she was actually fairly close to civilization. Spotting fields of rice… Or pools?

<Hmm, that is interesting and all, but I think need to set up some goals so don't end dismantling poor villagers see what differences there are between them & the humans know. Are people here even human- No, bad cat, focus on you'll up…>

With her goal of developing goals in mind; once more the kitten flopped down yet this time decided to rest on her side with her limbs splayed out.

<Although I am not particularly in danger right now, the energy of this realm hinting that those within are likely fairly weak, have never been one to remain static. Should take control over first or try finding a way communicate with my cute little eldritch servants? suppose gathering inf->

Soon she even got to see the wonderful sight of children running about without a care - little digging tools in their hands along with a bucket. Clearly ready to earn themselves some bamboo thingies. The old cat didn't really care about that kind of stuff (she found mastication disgusting) but she was still a granny.

Like all grannies who headed a big family… She had a soft spot for children. That didn't mean she threw away any of her morals, or lack off, just because some kid was likely to suffer in the short term. Quite the opposite since she believed that it was through overcoming suffering that one could achieve true strength.

Still she couldn't help closing her eyes to enjoy the joyful laughs as the innocent atmosphere of children wandered all the way up to her little safe space from the wicked sun.

<You know what… Maybe it is time that I finally took a break? All my life has been me struggling to survive against all odds, fighting constantly for the right, till eventually seems fight became life. Not say regret any of actions; who can did bad job when got such great kids & made realm those never chance find their own place in life?>

Rolling over onto her back so that she could view the foliage above as she noticed just how beautiful the pink petals were.

<Saving the unfortunate souls of children who died too soon is great and all. But when did I grow so arrogant as to believe was needed run it - content with dying can not be just living a normal life? have healthy body enough spiritual energy sustain myself… So why not?>

Throughout this whole time she had her usual smile gracing her whisker adorned lips yet now she let that smile fade into something a bit more tame. Just the smile of an old kitten who was enjoying retirement in the countryside. At some point she may have been a being that even the emotionless void feared…

But she didn't need to be.

Such a thought allowed, for the first time since her birth, allowed her mind to truly empty out as her mighty mind let go of any projects it was working on. She was known for always being a step ahead so letting herself just stop was… Relaxing. Closing her eyes as she let the salty sea wind blow through her fur.

<I hope they have at least invented gambling, though!>

"Chehehe~."

That didn't mean she was going to become a saint.

"Look! Look! Sister, I was right, look there is a kitten here! I knew I heard something!"

The excited voice of a girl made her ears twitch but she didn't mind it too much; children were naturally a curious bunch and who was she to blame someone for their curiosity? She was many things yet she wasn't always a hypocrite. At least she didn't think she was a hypocrite since she was quite forthcoming about the immorality of her constant "learning adventurers".

Still she did decide to at least open her eyes to side-eye the brats who were making their way to her - of course she knew there were two kids approaching her. She wasn't the martial saint for nothing! Not that she planned to actually do much as she saw two mirror images.

If one wasn't so much taller she'd think them to be twins.

Without any caution the smallest of the two, not even tall enough to reach the counter top let alone top shelf of a kitchen, whisked the most feared entity up into a hug. Letting her little legs dangle as even that wise cat was forced to shut down. Still she took it in stride as her eldest wasn't much better.

"Can we keep him, Hisana-nee?"

<Excuse you; I am quite clearly a girl?! You are just lucky that you're cute enough to forgive.>

"Rukia you can't just pick up animals like that!" <Hisana >

In return that girl just giggled as if she wasn't being told off by her older sister; twirling around which resulted in her lower body picking up air.

"Hehehe~ that wasn't a no!" <Rukia >

The older sister couldn't stop from holding her forehead as she clearly was under quite some stress but didn't want to unload on her baby sister. Not knowing what to say to the girl. Eventually having to just give up sugar coating it in hopes that her sister could be more understanding of her position.

"Rukia… We can hardly feed ourselves with both the guards & enforcers constantly breathing down our necks for protection money. This world isn't nice to children like us. So we need to stick together to protect one another and I'm not confident we can do the same if we bring someone else in…" <Hisana >

With a gentle yet pained smile she crouched down to softly pet the head of her younger sister; the only family she had. Someone who had complete trust in her, however, also the person who she couldn't even give anything to. Fortunately Rukia's pouty face turned towards the ground so missed her sister's tears.

Quickly wiping her silent emotions aside with the hand not embracing the warmth of her sister's head - fine with remaining unseen as long as her sister could smile so sweetly.

Except she didn't remain unseen.

Within Rukia's arms hung the infamous little black cat, although unknown in this new dimension, a true paragon as far as rebellion could be considered. An enemy who led an uprising against the divine who judged her an unworthy existence. Also someone whose experience only lost to one other.

<sigh I want to retire but then humans bring this kinda poppycock to my door… How can I pretend that children like these don't deserve my time? Maybe this time I just try to keep my antics low-key and subtle instead of systematic on the divine level; just a simple nannying job?>

Such thoughts ran through her head at a space that neither of the children could even begin to comprehend nor expect from a "little kitten".

Rukai soon gently put the kitten on her ickle paws with a clear unwillingness nevertheless she still accepted since she didn't want to upset Hisana. Just a cute little sister caring about her precious older sister even if she couldn't help. Such sweetness nearly gave the cat a heartache.

<I thought this new body was perfectly healthy so why must I still suffer!>

Clutching her fuzzy chest while walking back with just her rear paws - such an amusing talented display caused the little girl to happily clap. Giggling joyfully at the "little dance" of her not-pet. Even her stressed older sister couldn't help smiling at the brief respite from their hopeless situation.

"Why does kitty have two tails?" <Rukia >

Asking the obvious question that made the cat itself do a black flip to stare at Hisana with curiosity in what her answer would be. It was a good way to help centre her knowledge of this world. How mystical or non-mystical could she expect it to be?

Most problematic is if this was treated as monsterfication.

"Maybe she's a yoaki… Or that extra tail made her mamma abandon her." <Hisana >

"Aw~ how could her mamma not want her?" <Rukia >

"Nyahaha~."

<It was my father, not mother, that didn't want me.>

This reply actually made the kitten laugh not cry; it made sense since the trauma with her past was likely before this universe (let alone world) came into existence. Plus… It was hard to have lasting trauma when her supposed best friend was a murder hobo whose shitty jokes never held back.

The two sisters began to walk away while giggling, making the cat smile, only for her expression to subtly transition to something far more serious.

<I know you're there.>

Nobody replied with words… Just two insane yet opposing laughs.

One obnoxious, arrogant yet ordered to the point it could be imitated by just about anyone.

The other was so beyond the tipping point that sometimes it contained noises that even the most skilled voice actor may not be able to replicate. A laugh that constantly shifted in tone & sound. Impossible to predict what came next nor the emotions held within… Other than menacing levels of amusement.