Rai told him that they will set eyes on Ransen first thing in the morning. It is dangerous to walk in the forest during the night. There could be wild animals. . . beasts, pretty much anything that can be dangerous will be active at night. But worst of all, bounty hunters will take advantage of the night and attack them while they are resting. Rai would rather avoid ambush if he could.
Konoe is really grateful that there is someone who is willing to go out of his way to help him. But he still can't shake off the feeling that the whole situation is too good to be true. Maybe Rai is lying to him and he is being taken advantage of. The thing is, "You just happened to look half-dead on the ground and I don't want you to die on me when I could have done something" doesn't seem like a strong enough reason for Rai to do so much for him. There is a limit to how much kindness a person can offer. The only thing Konoe could get from this is that there is something that Rai wants from him. Is it related to the bounty? Maybe Rai knew something about the bounty despite the cat saying that he doesn't know. However, Konoe cannot bring himself to question Rai about this. And he feels that Rai wouldn't answer him anyway.
In the end, Konoe decides that he should just keep a steady eye at Rai just in case Rai does something funny. However, his ongoing suspicion was returned by kindness. Rai offered him nuts to eat and the whole situation throws him off. One part of his brain says that he needs to be on guard, but the other side tells him to treat Rai normally and stop being so rude. Rai is saying something. When Konoe finally tuned in on the conversation, he heard that Rai is saying that he did not stash away a lot of food in this cabin. He did not expect to stay here for this long. 'You'll have to put up with nuts for now.' Konoe shook his head and told Rai that this is enough and he properly thanked Rai. Rai ate with him and together, they ground on nuts in silence.
Konoe was the first to break the silence with a question.
"Do you live here?"
Silence.
"No."
"What is this place then?"
"My hideout."
Hm.
"Where do you usually live then?"
"Ransen."
Okay.
"How come you were here when you live in Ransen?"
"Stop asking so many questions," Rai spat out in a harsh tone.
Konoe's tail straight up bristled and then they slowly lowered until they were almost flat against the bed.
"I'm sorry."
Rai sighed, "I just happen to have business in the area."
Konoe perked up in interest. Rai gave an opening. He could probably ask another question. However, he has too many questions, like what business do you have and how long was I out from the landslide and why did you really save me? But the opening soon closed when Rai sat up from the bed and trotted to the wall across the room. Rai sat down against the wall with folded legs and propped his head up in the palm of his left hand. With his other hand, he took his large sword and rested it against his shoulder. It looks like Rai doesn't want any more questions.
"Do you want to sleep on the bed?" Konoe asked one last question, feeling guilty that he took the bed.
Silence.
Rai did not even open his eyes. It's like he didn't hear Konoe speak.
"Goodnight," Konoe finally said, giving up.
Konoe could hear a faint grunt.
He leaned towards the candle on his left and blew. Then he plopped down and pulled the blanket over his shoulder and closed his eyes. Sleep came over him quite easily. He was pretty tired.
Konoe was woken up by a light shake on his shoulders. He feels like utter shit. His eyelids are heavy and it feels like his eyeballs have sunken into the back of his socket. To top it off, his headache hasn't completely disappeared. It is way better than yesterday, but he could still feel a dull ache in the back of his head. The room is pretty dim. The sun has just rose and the room is dyed with a dim blue hue. The morning air is chilly and Konoe shivered. He also felt an urgent need to pee.
He kicked the blanket away and sat up. Just sat up. He remained in the position. His body may be awake, but his mind sure isn't, they are still drifting off somewhere in the grand universe. Suddenly, he felt something land on his head. Konoe jolted and quickly pried the thing off. When he pulled it back, he realized it was a cloak.
"Wear it."
Rai didn't say anything else and left the room. When Konoe finally got himself fully awake, both mind and body, he put on the cloak. The smell of books and herbs instantly hit his face. It smells very good. And then he noticed that there is a cup of water next to the bed. Rai probably left it there for him. The little things make Konoe think that Rai is actually very caring. He finished the water and sprang out of bed, hurrying out the cabin to take a piss.
Rai was waiting for him in front of the cabin, a couple of meters away. Konoe ran to the back to deal with his business. When he returned, Rai was still there. The white cat spotted him and then turned around, as though he is expecting Konoe to follow him.
Nonetheless, Konoe caught up to Rai and walked several steps behind. Rai was silent. Konoe felt tensed, but he didn't know what to say. He can't ask Rai any real questions and Rai doesn't seem like the type for small talks. So they walked with their mouths shut.
The chilly morning started to pick up and pushed against his body. It was freezing. Konoe combated this by pulling the hood up and felt a bit better. Plus, he doesn't want anyone to see his face.
They were walking for a while in the dense forest. It has been such 'a while' that Konoe does not mind the silence anymore. Instead, Konoe is concerned with the problem that he has no idea where they are going. From what he's seen, the forest looked exactly the same. How does Rai keep track of things? But then the answer to his question came to him in the next moment. It was a slight change, but he felt something in the air shifted. . . the scent. It went from fresh mountain grass, flowers, water dews to dirt road, smoke and something musky that Konoe wasn't entirely sure what it was. They did eventually made it to a dirt road. As they walked farther, the musky smell grows stronger so did the smoke. When he finally came to a conclusion to what it was, he could already see it in front of his eyes. It was a town. He could smell a lot of things mingled together.
They walked into the town, Konoe a little tensed, scared that someone will recognize him from his bounty. No one is looking at him, really, but Konoe is still nervous. The town was small but lively. There are cats talking and laughing. Everyone seems to be doing something, minding their own business and that soothes Konoe's nerves a bit.
The early morning breeze caught a whiff of something sweet, aromatic and it made Konoe's mouth water. He didn't notice before, but he is feeling hungry. They arrived at a horse stall. Rai said something to the horsekeeper, they nodded. Went in and came out with two horses. Rai nodded and then handed the horsekeeper something and the deal was done.
"Rai."
"Hm?"
"Can we grab something to eat?"
"We are heading there right now. The ride to Ransen takes four days. We need to stock up on supplies before leaving."
Rai bought him to the market place. There are way more cats here than the street before. There is a large variety of food in the market ranging from vegetables to meat. There are also food stalls. Lots and lots of food stalls. If Konoe was drooling before, he is now straight up dripping with hunger. He wants to try everything. However, Rai doesn't seem to be interested in the food stalls. He is more interested in, you know, actual stocking up for their four days trip. Konoe tagged behind him whilst staring longingly at the food stalls.
Konoe didn't pay attention, but he believes that Rai is buying dry foods, like nuts, dried meat, baked goods and then some fresh food like fruits and vegetables. By the time Rai is done, they were carrying so much. The brown bag was full to the brim and Konoe had trouble seeing in front of him. They headed back to the horse stall.
Konoe didn't know before, but Rai actually rented a wagon. It was pretty spacey despite 1/3 of the cart being taken up with two barrels of water and horse feed. They settled the bags next to the barrels and feed.
"Hop on."
They went straight to the road. Rai sat in the driver's seat to control the horses while Konoe sat in the back. Rai then pulled out something and gave it to Konoe. It was hot and smelled incredible. It was a ham and egg wrap. When did he get this? Konoe didn't see Rai buy it. Even so, Konoe shouted thanks and enjoyed the meal. It tastes so good. After the meal. Konoe stared boringly into the forest path behind them. Konoe took a nap unknowingly. He woke up to a sudden jolt of the carriage. They are passing through a small water creek. It was beautiful. Then, the forest turned into the old boring trees again. At this point, Konoe started to juggle the fruits. However, Rai yelled at him to stop. 'You will bruise the fruit.' Konoe ate the one that he did bruise.
Konoe was itching to ask Rai things, but he convinced himself not to because of Rai's obvious reactions. However, he has been telling himself this the whole morning and he was feeling a bit frustrated. He really wants to know.
"Why are you helping me?" He finally asked, somewhat surprised that he actually did.
As expected, Rai did not answer him. Konoe turned around and plopped down on the hard wooden floor with a bored expression on his face. He wished he had gotten himself something to fiddle with. Suddenly, the carriage stopped and his head bonked against the barrels.
"What happened?" Konoe asked, propping himself up with his elbows.
"Break."
There was a lake. The horses drank water. They ate. In silence.
Konoe took the initiative.
"Why are you helping me though?" He pressed again.
"Do you prefer that I don't?"
"I didn't mean it that way...I just...it's just no one will go so far for another cat that they do not know so well."
Rai looked at him for a moment and then continued eating and the conversation did not develop any further. Konoe attempted at more conversation. But Rai did not reply with more than an "Mm" and "Yeah." Konoe gave up. He just watched the lake. The small waterfall at the edge of the lake and the variety of bugs that flew around and hover over the water. Then his eyes flew to the horses. They were munching on the grass next to the river.
The break ended when they finished their food and they immediately continued their journey.
Boredom defined Konoe now. Sometimes he laid down just to feel the vibration on his back. Then he leaned over the back ledge of the cart and watched as dirt picked up from the wheels and left a dusty trail behind. When night came, Rai hopped into the carriage. They ate inside and then they slept against opposite walls. Rai, sleeping the way he did at the inn. Konoe, uncomfortable because half of his space is stolen by Rai. If he lies down, his boots will touch Rai's elbow and he doesn't want that, so he just copied Rai and slept sitting up.
Konoe woke up with neck, shoulder pain. He felt like he didn't sleep at all. How the heck did Rai sleep through that and have the energy to continue with the next day? Must be because he is a fighter.
They continued on the road again.
Konoe continued his adventure of watching the wheels in movement. And a question popped up. It wasn't so small, such as 'Ah, what nice weather' or 'The forest is beautiful', but it wasn't so big that will result on Rai shutting up on him. He thinks it's pretty neutral so he asked.
"Who maintains these roads?"
"No one."
"How come it's cleared of everything then?"
"People just decided to use it and that's all."
"How come we haven't met another traveling wagon so far?"
"The North isn't exactly an exciting place. Those who use this road are usually merchants. But, they all now gathered at Ransen."
"Why?"
"It's almost Spring Festival."
"What's that?"
Silence.
"What's that?" Konoe said again, louder, this time his head poking out from the barrels.
"I heard you."
"Then, answer me."
"What do you remember about the Spring Festival?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Nothing, none!"
"Do you know what Ribika is?"
"No. Is that another city?"
Rai gave him a 'are-you-fucking-retarded' look.
"What? I told you I don't remember anything right?"
"I am shocked that you really don't remember anything."
Rai went on and precisely recited the whole tale of the goddess Ribika and the origin of their kind, which — Rai pointed out, all kids from the age of five knows from the back of their heads.
Ribika is a godsend Peace-maker. Humans were warring over each other, overcame by greed and lust for power. The humans angered the Creator so much that he sent down a superior being that stopped the war between the humans. That being is Goddess Ribika. After Goddess Ribika stopped the war, the Creator took matters in his own hands and took away the humans' greed and lust, giving them ears and tails. The ears served as a reminder of their past and to guide the humans so they will never repeat history.
Heck, Rai shook his head. It is so widely-known, essentially integrated into their culture that there are plenty of songs and nursery rhythms dedicated to Goddess Ribika. 'Your amnesia is really no joke,' Rai said again. At this point, Konoe just ignored him and waited for Rai to continue on with the story.
There are some cats, though. Rai's expression changed, serious. Who lived their life according to the teachings of Ribika, which was — To live limited. To not to lust for anything. Be happy with what you have. It is fine and all, but when taken to extreme cases, cats use Ribika as a way to groom kids and produce these brain-washed soldiers. They are known as Meigi. They reside in the Southern part of Sisa, in the mountains. These kittens are groomed from a young age and will do anything for the priest who rule over the land. Their words are directly from the Creator.
"What?" Rai asked.
"Do you believe in Ribika?"
"I only believe in myself."
Hm.
The third day passed with nothing special happening. Most of the day is spent with Konoe lying down and staring at the tarp cover over the carriage. Konoe is just surprised that they managed to finish most of the food. They bought so much. Konoe fed a carrot to the horses, but Rai scolded him, telling him to stop wasting food.
The fourth day, Konoe found things to play with, mainly garbage from the food they ate. For instance, the string that tied the jerky together. He started braiding those. He untangled them when he finished and started braiding them again. Then he moved on and started attaching orange peels on a string.
"Why are you drying orange peels?"
"I don't know. Maybe I used to make them a lot?"
It just looks right to him. He tied them on the supporting metal frame over his head that holds up the tarp.
Suddenly, the forest died out and they entered a clearing. Konoe looked at the field in awe. He poked his head out from the back of the carriage to get a better view, but he could only push himself out for so long before his arms gave. So he sat back in the cart and for the first time, he felt frustrated that his view was covered by the tarp. But he solved his problem by climbing to the front of the carriage and sitting on the driver's seat with Rai.
He was smiling.
"What are you doing?"
"What are those?" Konoe responded him with a question, a giant smile plastered on his face.
Rai rolled his eyes at Konoe's excitement. It's like bringing a toddler to the beach for the first time.
"Crops. A variety of them."
"I have never seen such a large plantation."
"You remember what you have seen before? I thought you don't remember anything," Rai scoffed.
"I don't. But I feel like I am more familiar to some things than others. I don't know why. Does that count as remembering things?"
Rai shrugged.
"Hey, Rai."
"What?"
"Can you tell me about things?"
"What things?"
"Anything. I want to know about this place. God forbid, I even forgot the name of this continent."
Rai scoffed and sighed.
"How basic?"
"Anything."
"Sisa. Ransen is the biggest city in Sisa. The plantation you see? Farms for Ransen."
"What do you want to know specifically?" Rai asked again because just what in the world does "anything" justify for?
"Anything," Konoe said again, which wasn't helping Rai because it is so broad. So Rai just decided to talk about the continent.
Rai told him that this continent is called Sisa. Surrounding Sisa is a huge desert. No one knows what is beyond the desert. Groups of caravan did venture out the desert. However, most of them came back after running out of supplies or some never returned. There are groups of cats who are planning to caravan the desert out together. Next year, they are going to go out to the East desert with a headcount of 100 members.
"I kinda want to see the desert."
Rai did not comment on that.
When they arrive at Ransen, they went through a pretty beat up entrance. Rai told him the entrance from the West is bigger and more extravagant. Most cats travel from the West. The Northern has nothing except for a forest. There is no reason for the mayor to elaborate on the Northern entrance.
Ransen is not just a city. IT IS THE CITY. It is so massive. He has never seen anything like this. He is more familiar with rural areas and forests. Perhaps, that was where he was before his amnesia.
As they go down South, there are more and more buildings. At some point, they entered a large street and Konoe was just shocked by the sheer amount of houses. Not to mention the structures! The houses were essentially stacked upon each other like wooden blocks, creating multiple floors. There were walkways with railings built, separating the layers of houses. And cats were everywhere. On the ground, crowd parting as the carriage went by, near shop sides, on the walkway, some are even on the roofs. It was wild. Where ever he looked, there were cats. Laughing, arguing, talking, gossiping about their neighborhood, talking about food, yelling their frustrations about jobs. There were so many conversations that they blend into this one giant buzz. It was overwhelming. He was between nervous and awe-struck.
The wagon gradually came to a halt. They were in front of a horse stall. They both hopped off and the horse cart was returned. Rai nodded towards a direction, urging Konoe to follow him. Konoe did. However, he also stopped and looked. Then, he walked a few steps and stopped again, staring at another wonder that caught his eyes.
". . . at the inn."
What? He wasn't listening.
"We are missing a hand at the inn," Rai repeated, eyeing Konoe in the corner of his eye.
"You will help out."
Okay.
"Just don't tell Bardo that you are there to stake out."
Konoe nodded, slowly taking in the new information. Konoe waited for Rai to tell him who Bardo is? Unfortunately, the white cat did not take it upon himself to explain. So Konoe took matters in his hands and asked Rai who Bardo was, but Rai did not answer him. The rest of the trip was quiet.
By the time they were at the inn, the sky was dark.
Unlike the main street, this street was smaller and there weren't any street lanterns that lit the way. Instead, the street was dimly lit by the light that is coming off the individual stores. It was dim, but it is bright enough to make down the street.
As he walked closer to the inn, Konoe noticed voices coming from the inn. The chatter was at full blast by the time he made it to the entrance. There was a short drapery hanging from the door frame that blocked off the view of the inn from the streets. However, the door was wide open for any cats to drop by.
Rai walked right in, pushing through the blinds. However, Konoe felt uncomfortable intruding, his eyes darting everywhere, taking in all the details he could get. In the end, he still followed suit and entered the shop because it is a whole lot more uncomfortable if he just stood in the entrance, alone.
The shop is pretty spacey, there were at least 10 long tables fitted in the shop. Most of the tables were filled with food and cats, laughing and going on about their day. No one seems to bat him an eye, they are all invested in their own circles. This, Konoe found comforting and he felt less self-conscious.
Rai stopped by what Konoe believes is the kitchen.
"Hey," said Rai casually, as he stood in kitchen light.
"Huh?" A large striped cat turned his head and gave Rai a disbelieving look.
"You are late! You were supposed to be back a week ago!"
"Yeah, something came up," Rai gave Konoe a side glance and then backed up. Konoe believes that this is when he should show himself, so Konoe stepped into the light. Immediately, he was met with a harsh glare.
"Who is this?"
"Someone."
"Someone?"
"He is here to work."
"What? You don't show your face for a week and then you bring home an employee? Is this one of your mess again!"
Rai walked pass the kitchen, down the hall and disappeared behind a long draping curtain. Konoe's eyes immediately snapped back to the cat he assumes is Bardo.
"So," the cat dropped his hands to the towel hanging from his waist and began wiping them while looking at Konoe.
"What is your name?"
At this point, Konoe should just come up with a name to call himself. It is really inconvenient to avoid eyes and say nothing when people ask for a name. But nothing comes up in his head at the moment, then his eyes zone out into the background of the kitchen and he sees a mountain of vegetation: leaf.
"Ha(leaf)."
"Hah?" Bardo narrowed his eyes at him. "I am asking for your name."
[Japanese word for leaf is ha.]
Okay. That does not work. Another name. What is a believable name? Konoe looks down and sees blue. His pants. They are blue.
"Ao," the name escaped his lips unexpectedly.
He is surprised how easy the name rolled off his tongue and how familiar it rings in his ears. Out of nowhere, a wave of nostalgia attacks him, filling him with a sense of longing and this weird bittersweet sensation. Who is Ao? Is it someone he knows?
"Ao, I see. Nice to meet you."
Konoe snaps back up, the loud voice pulling him back to present. A hand was outstretched.
Konoe awkwardly took the hand.
Bardo flashed him a bright grin.
"I'm sorry for whatever Rai did. That kid is always like that, doing whatever he wants. I am not surprised if he forced you into this."
No. Wrong. If anything, Rai is like his savior. But, maybe a little. The inn part was totally unheard of. He couldn't think of anything quick enough to say to Bardo. Before he could come up with any sort of answer, Bardo already moved on from him.
"Ken! Look after the kitchen I am stepping away for a bit."
A frustrated groan came back, saying that he is already busy caught up with serving customers.
Bardo led Konoe past the curtain and Konoe is greeted by a neat corridor with a few rooms. Immediately to the right, there is a small room, in which Konoe recognize the area as where clean things are stored. There is a large brown drawer with clean towels, table cloth, dishes and whatnot on top of it. The drawer was big enough to touch both sides of the room, that was how small the room was. Bardo pointed to the aprons in one of the slots, saying that no matter what, an employee should always wear an apron. It's for the sake of sanitary.
Bardo also told Konoe off to bath, 'you stink like spoiled rice left in a pot for weeks!' he said. Does he really smell that bad? Konoe sniffed himself and did not smell anything. Either way, Konoe found himself standing awkwardly in the middle of the bathroom. What is happening? One moment he is being chased by cutthroat hunters and the next he is in a domestic bathroom taking a bath. Konoe decided he should just get on with it. Konoe does not want to spend too much dwelling on such thoughts. The water was pretty cold and he tried to wipe himself off as much as he can using his hands. His hair though, there is nothing he could do about it. He has to soak them. So he bends down and carefully poured water on his head, paying heed to his ears.
He shivered as a stream of cold water ran down his chest and back. He lathed himself up with soap, washed soap away and then slipped on tunic and pants that Bardo gave him. He dunked his dirty clothes in a basket that he believes is for dirty laundry and then stepped out of the bathroom with sopping hair. Bardo was thrown off. He hastily grabbed a towel from the drawer and wrapped Konoe's hair with it.
Konoe felt nervous as the older cat touched his hair. Panic pricked his skin.
"You are still a kitten ain't you?"
Somehow that came off as belittling to Konoe and he hated it.
"I am not a kitten," Konoe snarled back, panic temporarily forgotten.
"You can't even dry yourself properly. Still a kitten."
Konoe angrily snapped away, pulling the towel from Bardo's hands. He dried himself.
He put on an apron and Bardo told him what to do. The striped cat briefly introduced him to the drawer room and showed him what things are stored in the drawers. Then Bardo showed him to the kitchen and told him not to touch the stove. Konoe is on dishwashing duty for his first month or as long as it takes until Bardo trusts him with the food. 'Don't go anywhere,' Bardo tells him. Konoe wouldn't want to go anywhere anyway. He is very aware that he is being chased by bounty hunters. Although Rai told him that it is safe in Ransen since there are so many cats, he is still afraid that there would be a chance of someone recognizing him if wander in the streets.
So he spent the rest of the night washing dishes. Then, they ate dinner when the shop closed. They ate beef stock noodles because there are still some noodles left and those go bad by the morning.
He slept in the spare room. He heard it belonged to the previous employee, but that cat left and returned home for marriage.