Angry, scared, hurt, alone.

I didn't have the best life before I became a bakeneko. That rage that anger of the pain and abuse turned me into a monster. A cat with a split tail and the ability to control flame a nekomata. I was vengeful and angry towards all of humanity, attacking any human that came to close to me, That entered what I considered my territory. I had power now and I was done being pushed around by humanity! I wanted revenge for the pain that they caused. That was until one day I meant a strange man. The local humans had grown tired of my fight against them. They felt as trapped and as scared as I once did. So they contacted someone they thought could help. Several people, all who ended up being turned to ash all except one. This traveler went from place to place learning all he could about the land's creatures. I suppose that's what made him understand. Any cat can become a bakeneko with age and power, but only those bitter from pain and despise become nekomata. He came into my territory, an old house that once belonged to my now-deceased masters. Good riddance. He showed no fear as I was engulfed by flames a warning for him to back off. I was not afraid to end someone's life for coming to close. Yet he remained calm, he smiled at me patiently and sat on the floor. I yelled and growled at him to get out. I warned him that I would not hesitate to destroy him.

Still, he smiled at me. He knew I had already gone against my word, most humans entering my home would have been destroyed on sight yet I still let him live. He showed no fear towards me and that intrigued me. I was certain even if I lit him a-flame he wouldn't have even cried out in pain. He slid a bag off of his back and unzipped slowly as to not make me think it was anything threatening. He then reached then bag and pulled out two containers of food he opened them both up and placed them on the ground. He then pulled out two glasses and a bottle, he filled with glasses with cream and placed them on the ground as well. One right in front of him and one towards me. "Why don't you have lunch with me and we can talk about our day." He said with a smile.

I refused. At least when he was there. After he was done with his meal he left what he brought and I would it eat once he left. I thought the man odd, but he brought me gifts so in my head that's why I allowed him to live. I figured I would not see the strange man again, but I was wrong. He came back the next day doing the same thing. Made it a regular thing to see me every day, to have a meal, and talk over some cream. Slowly I grew closer to him and started joining him when he came by. Even looking forward to seeing him. I had found a friend in the species I despised.

He told me tales of strange creatures from lands and sea, far and wide. He told me of dragons and the many kinds of them. He told me of creatures with powers similar to mine. He told me of other bakeneko he had met and helped. I loved hearing his stories more than I ever did his cooking. One day he offered me help on learning to better control my abilities and to practice ones I didn't even know I had, such as the ability to change my form. Yes, I could look just like a human if I desired, although my ears and tails still showed.

One day he brought me a tall hat and asked for me to use this human form. I did so and he put the hat on my head hiding my ears. He said he wanted to prove something. To prove to me that humanity wasn't entirely bad. I said "I know it's not entirely bad. For I know at least one human that had shown me kindness." I went with him and he brought me into a fair. Bright lights, treats, and rides. It was the most fun I had ever had. It was the first time that I had spent among a large group of humans since becoming a nekomata. I was scared at first, but he helped me through as long as I was by his side. I knew he wouldn't let anyone hurt me ever again.

Then one day. He stopped visiting me. Had he grown tired of me? Did I no longer interest him? Would I ever see him again? I would pace back and forth my window sill waiting to see that old car of his drive up and yet it didn't as days passed I grew more and more worried. Then I did something bold, I left my adobe into the town without him by my side. I wanted to find him. What if he was hurt! I didn't even hide what I was from the townsfolk and they coward in fear from me. They would be no help I thought. Cowards. I ran up and down the town searching for my friend and I couldn't find him. I couldn't find him anywhere. Had he really. Left me behind? I cried out sad and angry. I didn't care that I was in the town. I didn't care I was showing how weak I am. I just wanted my friend.

One of the humans came up to me. They said that they had hired the man, but that he had grown ill. That he was ill even that first day I met him. Something that couldn't be cured. Although he tried to find a way, and finally the first day I didn't see him visit me was the day the illness had finally taken him. My first friend, the one who showed that for all its flaws there was good in humanity or at the very least some of its species. Dead not long after meeting him. The human that hired my friend took me to his grave and I sat over it and wept for hours on end.

Exhausted and in pain, I eventually fell asleep pressed against the gravestone. When I woke I found myself in a different place, the human that hired my friend must have brought me here. A plain room if not for the piles of books and notes around the room, Old maps of places I had never heard of and a picture of my dear friend.

His work, his stories, all condensed into one room. He wanted to document and help mythical creatures from around the world.

He can't anymore.

I will take up his task.