What? – I exclaimed astonished – are you sure that is him for sure that shall be present?

Impossible to know for sure Richard – replied Max, sighting on the other side of the line – however Talia stated she felt instinctively that they were serious this time, can I count on you?

Of course! – I then looked at the bedside clock – at your house, seven am, together with Talia, correct?

Yes, perfect – replied Max, concluding – I need to go now, however I ordered the king to deliver to you a tracker and vital signs monitor, the person with the parcel should arrive there in around twenty minutes; install it in you so the king and I will know where you are and if you are well, in case your vital signs stop, we will know you have been eliminated quicker and declare war right away.

You are right and it is a great idea – I concluded as well, saying next – count on me, Talia will be safe as long as there is life in these bones!

Thanks Richard, see you another time – he hung the phone up then.

As soon as he hung up I stood up and began getting read quickly, seeing I would have just thirty minutes to make everything that was needed and walk enough to arrive at Max's house in time, Akira was extremely efficient in her duties of helping me out, I was ready and having my breakfast even before the guy with the deliver that Max mentioned was there, he did arrive moments later; again my little nekomimi barely touched her food, she was visibly not well again, that was when I asked:

Akira-chan, you are not well again, isn't that right? – I then looked into her eyes.

I d… don't think so dear, but I shall try not to hinder you today after we leave – Akira replied, lowering her ears and looking at her dish.

Oh! – I exclaimed, remembering this time I shouldn't take her, given the dangers involved in this mission – I am sorry little one today I am going alone, as the subject is very dangerous for non-combatants.

Ah… I understand, forgive me dear – she stood up from her chair at the table and stared at me – can I go to our bedroom then dear?

Sure! – I replied fondling behind her cat ear – as soon as I am back we shall talk to Enmie, alright?

Y… Yes… - replied heartlessly Akira, on the exact moment her face became funny and she rushed towards our bedroom.

"if she is running like that" I thought " she might be just very worried about me"; I then took the equipment that was delivered to me and adjusted it, then I called a cab and it dropped me around thirty minutes away by foot from Max's house, I walked peacefully through the empty streets of that part of Verona, seeing also it wasn't even half past six yet; I arrived at my destination ten minutes before the set time for the meeting, after calling for Talia she greeted me inviting me to enter next, then she hurried to serve me a cup of tea, as soon as she was back with them, she asked me:

Little Akira-chan isn't with you today? – she then looked around.

No – I replied, shaking my head – she wasn't feeling too well and I also thought it wasn't prudent to bring her, after all we are dealing with something big here.

I comprehend, she must have been crushed for not being able to come… - pondered Talia, much to my surprise – is she sick?

I think she is just stressed, seeing she has been very worried about me lately – I replied, asking in sequence – do you really think we shall have some sort of contact with the nekomimi leader and that he might be honest?

I understand, poor Akira – Talia commented, lowering her purple ears and adding – as regarding the nekomimi leader I actually already talked to his messenger, whom shall be the mediator of today's meeting, and… how can I explain this to you Richard? – Talia then raised her ears and looked to the celling, placing her hand's finger on her cheek; it doesn't matter how free of prejudice I was, seeing a nekomimi without paws was very weird to me – I can say I "felt" it was something serious… as if by instinct that just us have for some form of motive…

I comprehend, I shall trust your judgment then Talia – I smiled to her – and I shall protect you as while Max is not around.

Now I understand why that little nekomimi adores you so much… - Talia commented, I was going to ask regarding that fact when her intercom rang, she stood up and checked the window, looked at me and said – they arrived, wait for me here Richard – to which I just replied with a nod.

It took just around thirty seconds for Talia to go open the gate and come back followed by a being, visibly a nekomimi, as he had his ears under a hat he was using and a tail going through a hole on his raincoat, he had black fur and a white spot on the tip of his tail being those characteristics the only ones visible under all those clothes he was wearing at that moment; Max's fiancée sat beside me after closing the door and the nekomimi took out a laptop from under the raincoat, opening it and placing it over a small table in the middle of the room, together with a little microphone, then he positioned himself erect beside it and did nothing more, that was when the girl beside me whispered into my ear:

He is known as "Kitagawa", if that is his name or not, it is a mystery – Talia then pointed to him – as far as it is known, he is the only living being alive that had contact with the nekomimi leader and knows something about him, as he will talk through a conference using the laptop; as you were chosen as the human's representative, he is waiting for your sign so as we can begin.

I understand, thanks Talia – I then looked at Kitagawa – feel free, we can start.

All that Kitagawa did was to simply nod and press a button on the keyboard, the laptop's screen lit and an indicator bar quickly left the zero mark in one hundred percent mark, with the saying "connecting" showing; as soon it was fully loaded, a big and stylish "N" filled almost all the screen, then the laptop's camera's lenses appeared to adjust automatically, then a voice extremely disguised by an electronic program said:

Talia correct? I first kindly ask of you to wave to the camera in a way I can actually see your hands – which was promptly granted by the nekomimi – hmmm… really intriguing, Kitagawa could you check if her tail and ears are real? – to what Kitagawa just nodded and did as he was ordered, with Talia's immediate approval and under my vigilance, when the examination ended, the nekomimi's leader representative just typed the word "yes" on the keyboard and positioned himself back beside the device, that was when the voice continued – I ask you to forgive my cautiousness, but you must know that confirming her authenticity was of extreme importance to us, I am known as N, the nekomimi's race leader, who was chosen to answer in human's race place?

Noble Montecchio Richard – I took out from my pocket the royal letter that gave me such rights, handing it down to Kitagawa – before we even start, I would like to ask something, you said you were the nekomimi's representative, however isn't that noble Oliveira Lívia's role? More importantly, aren't you only the leader of the nekomimi extremists?

The nekomimi Oliveira Lívia had that privilege bestowed upon her the very same way your king did to you – the voice replied – she is chosen to represent publically our race, as you yours; I ask also, if possible, that you left any prejudice aside, seeing we came here to reach an understanding, especially regarding the way of the relations between humans and nekomimis shall take soon.

I u… understand, I shall keep that in mind as you wish – I replied with extreme caution, the way he had said that denoted that depending on my decisions in this meeting, we could have a war starting right here and now.

I shall first explain to you Montecchio, the motive we had to contact Talia at this moment – he made a pause then, cleaning his throat then – you must have noticed that the nekomimis are beings much closer to instinct than humans, correct?

Yes, although I don't know the motive of such a thing – I replied honestly, looking directly at the laptop's camera.

We also don't know the exact motive, theories? We have them on dozens, varying from excessive trust into technology to losing the link with your animal sides, however that doesn't isn't relevant to this case – he became silent for a few once more – however nekomimis are beings that act much more by instinct, mainly by the race's union as one being; that was why when we were threatened by the other races, we always acted together to end quickly with the danger, because opposing what was always said on the history textbooks, the nekomimis never wanted to eliminate the other races for final supremacy, most contrary, we were always expelled from our homes…

I am glad you actually told me to set aside my prejudices N, because that is completely different from what is being told – I commented, looking down – but is there something that actually support your theory?

If we were really after the world's domination – replied N, adding – why would we be content with an arid and unfertile place like Mewrusalem? We could have attacked the survivors from other races that attacked us first in the past and take them the east lands, however they were few and pacifists, as hungry for peace as us, that was why we left them alone.

Then, which would be the nekomimi's leader version regarding the war "Paws of fury"? – I asked now interested on the possible version of the facts heard from the other side of the coin – as far as it was taught to me in schools, the conquering will of your kinds ended up making you go against our race, that managed to stop them for the first time.

I believe that the war was the consequence of the first time that both of the most prominent races, human and nekomimi, were victims of the nekomimi extremists actions, even before the war began.

What? – I was startled, exclaiming together with Talia – are you telling me that they began existing even before the war began? Could you explain me your theory?

Well, as you know the nekomimi act as a group using instinct, that is what made us win the war against the union of the other races after we were expelled from our lands on the far east region, when were surrounded where today is Mewrusalem; it was long years of bloody war, after those events our instinct tasted peace, nothing would make the nekomimis change our stance before the fact we would never fight against another race again, that was true until five years before said war, when something changed everything.

And what changed that nekomimi "instinct" of peace, that up-to-know seems really admirable – I asked with growing curiosity, seeing those theories really did make sense.

There was a drought of unseen proportions on that year and almost all our harvest and cattle died, making starvation and lack of water a threat without precedents, the fear of the death made us indicate a group of approximately one hundred people to cross the ocean and find a more cultivable land, and for a long time that was the last news we had about them; what I shall narrate now was found out just with the witness of a female nekomimi that was made prisoner by you.

I understand, continue please – I replied, reminding that actually there was a mention of letting free the first female prisoner of the war when it ended, in the historical documents.

She told us that they walked months to the west until a certain day the males ones, after roaming around for hunting, had found an intelligent kind of life how never had been seen before, they had ears that resembled monkey ones and had no tail, calling them oosarumimis; after a long debate it was decided that the females would stay on their place planting and living hidden, whereas they would try to communicate and understand what were those beings; they found that the new race wasn't linked to instinct in no way, shape or form, but rather, for not having any kind of paw, ambition and intelligence both for good and bad goals, as they cherished free thinking; we found out way too late that ambition is contagious and when mixed with instinct makes a not so good combination.

What do you mean N? – Talia asked, apparently confused.

The males began longing for the same kind of life than those oosarumimis; they spent so much time with them that they began thinking they were superior to even their fellow nekomimis, that is why the found out a way to make humans attack our race; they murdered all the villagers of the poor village they spent all that time, leaving just one alive so that he would inform the others, then they murdered all the females, without know that one of them had survived, when we sent more representatives to check what had happened to the first group, we were attacked by the humans beginning said war, but even having an advantage of three to one, you must agree with me that would be practically impossible to revert it into your favor, even more after the development of the cat-fu, correct?

Yes – I replied, meditating a bit – although we had the technology, our intelligence were always on the same level, so no, weapons wouldn't be enough to make the tides of war tilt in our favor.

Exactly, our "instinct" told us to look out for peace and not war, that was why we couldn't manage to use our primal instincts in battle, in case we had used, you wouldn't have a single chance, as we would turn into killing machines never seen by someone of your race – that was when I remembered Momiji and how it was almost impossible to touch him at that moment, a violent shiver ran through my spine.

Right, until this point I understood – I commented trying link stuff – so losing the war just made them even more pissed at us?

That is right, slowly they became more and more influent, almost convincing the nekomimi people to revolt again, that was when Mewsus appeared preaching peace, operating miracles, making the hearts of the people of our race to become calm, to the extremists despair, that found a way to arrest him secretly and crucify him as a thief, which proved to be a bolt's shot on their own leg's paw; as he left a son and sacred writings, that were kept hidden even the ones of your race created a religion based on him, that was overthrown five hundred years ago; they were an extremely secret sect or cult that kept the his descendants and his words, thanks to the population to follow his words with such enthusiasm, the extremists had to retreat for a good time, however…

However they found a hole on that faith in order to penetrate the nekomimi hearts again, am I correct?

Yes, Mewsus really despised war and preached equality among all races, as this is already to your knowing, however he let two signs and not just one that the time when both races would unite and the so dreamed peace would have arrived; just the members of that sect and people that once were in the same place I am now knew about this, however somehow the extremists gained access to those facts.

And which would be those signs, if you allow me to ask – I asked, with a growing interest on the way things were going to.

The first sign is sitting beside you, Mewsus said "The first sign will be when the line that divide humans from nekomimis is torn and the first being without malformation that will have characteristics of both races is found" we had genetic abominations in history, but generally they were extremely deformed, Talia's case isn't, she is perfect, without any sign of malformation, serving clearly as first sign; the second sign is "From my bloodline, from now until the chosen time for peace arrives, just males will be born, you shall know that the time has come when from my lineage are born two females in sequence mother than daughter, that shall marry a human male, both then shall rule absolute to peace, and I shall tell you more, if until the first summer after the first sign has been found out the prophecy doesn't become true, you can call me a deceiver and forget me".

And I assume that the extremists didn't like at all knowing that Talia exists, correct? – I asked, trying to find out where N wanted to get to.

You are completely right Montecchio – replied N cleaning his throat – they tried to make her look like a fraud, however a lot of people already stated that she is as a matter of fact, a legit nekomimi with a DNA exam, that proved in worldwide TV chain broadcast; but even before Talia existed, they tried restlessly to eliminate Mewsus descendants, what would always fail, as the sect was completely unknown, things took a turn for the worst when in the last decade of last century was announced the birth of the first female that was a direct descendant from Mewsus, what made the extremists become despaired, trying to say she was also a fraud.

What actually failed as well, I assume? – I asked, just to be sure of something.

Yes, seeing that the sect had mummified all Mewsus's descendant bodies, including his own body, by DNA exam we could prove that the female baby was, as a matter of fact, from Mewsus lineage, which made the extremists resort to the last resort, eliminating her without popular knowledge; the sect elders decided to disappear with her in a way that no one would know where she would be, not even them, which created a hunt without precedents, all the elders were murdered, which left no one alive on earth that knew her whereabouts, that is why we now have a treasure hunt happening under our noses, extremists against nekomimi, the one that finds her first, shall have the destiny of our race on their paws, extremists will murder her and make Mewsus look like a fraud, managing to again make people war against humans, in case we find them, she will be protected and we can check how was her life until these days.

I understand, however I am completely aware you didn't tell me all this just to let the human aware of the chaos that is the nekomimi race right now – I pointed it out, already knowing the motive behind all this history.

You are indeed smart Montecchio, it isn't for nothing that the noble Oliveira talks so well about you, we want you to help is to find that descendant in case she is hiding in Verona's territory, in case you find her, protect her and inform us through Talia, as I shall inform the whole nekomimi nation and shall ask you to send a sample of the woman's DNA to us so we can prove it is indeed her; you don't need to give her to us, she shall stay under the protection of the king, because if there is one race that is most hopping that Mewsus is right, that one is the human one.

I comprehend, is Oliveira aware of all this? – I asked to be sure.

No, but we are calling her so that she take a helicopter and come here urgently today at the end of the day, as the extremists or the ones whose this war would be beneficial are attacking all people that might have info that leads to that girl or hints of her localization – at that instant came to my head Leandro's diary, "So THAT was what he was referring to!" I thought "as he said it had there very important things regarding the revolution that should never ever fall into the wrong hands!" which would explain excess in carefulness into allowing me to see it – can we count with the human's race collaboration?

I speak in the name of all members of my race, yes, I ask that in case there is a recording of this meeting, that it be sent even if anonymously by Kitagawa to my king, so as he can also be aware of what was dealt here and take the needed measures for completion of this demand.

Agreed, Kitagawa, save a copy of this talk and give it to Richard, after this leave the place and head towards point fifty five b, understood? – to what Kitagawa just typed "yes" – I thank the whole human race Montecchio in the name of the nekomimi race which I represent, see you another time! – the screen then turned off.

Right after Kitagawa inserted a pendrive in the laptop's usb port and after typing in some commands, took it out handing it to me, he closed the laptop next and quickly left the premises; without saying a single word Talia stood up and prepared more tea, she instinctively knew I was shocked with that amount of new information that I just received, minutes later she was pouring the delicious liquid in my cup, we spent some long moments tasting it when the nekomimi commented in low voice:

It is almost unbelievable that my existence is linked to something that huge… - Talia then lowered her ears – I just wanted to be a normal nekomimi…

You are right, it is surprising that you are so important – I replied, drinking the last bit of my tea – however I am sure that to the person that really matters, you are a normal nekomimi and the only one he needs – I joked at her, so as to make her smile and forget this unpleasant subject.

O… Oh… j… just being able to… make him smile… - replied Talia, blushing deeply – I am already very happy…

Talia… you like Max a lot, you do love him, isn't it right? – I asked while Talia blushed even further, looking at the ground and replying "yes" in a whisper – you know, I envy you two sometimes…

And why would that be Richard? – Talia asked, raising her ears and looking at me with curiosity.

Because I wanted the person I liked to love me like that as well – I replied after sighting – but I don't even know if I love her…

Are you talking about Akira-chan? – Talia asked point blank.

Y… Yes… I cannot stop thinking about her, her absence hurts me… I am so confused – I replied placing my head between my hands and shaking it – I never felt like that in my life… I am afraid of hurting her, I think I love her… however I don't know if this is the right feeling…

Calm down Richard, if you want I can help you, answer me – Talia made me look at her – what you feel for her is just attraction? Sexual desire? Or do you really care about her?

No, what I feel for her isn't just desire or sexual attraction only – I replied looking at the in the eyes – I want to see her smiling always, happy and healthy it doesn't matter how, when, where or with whom… this is all I wish for the little one…

So straight from the heart reply! – Talia exclaimed, pointing to my chest – if that isn't love, I don't know what it is! You said the very same thing Max told to the person that asked him what he felt for me… Montecchio Richard, today I say for sure that you love Akira-chan, did you tell her that?

N… No… I don't know what she feels for me… most of the times I think that… - I looked to the ground, as talking about my feelings with a friend was something new to me – she acts like that for gratefulness… all I do to her… I don't want her… to stay with me… in case I declare my love for her… just out of gratitude for me… that is why I will just confess to her on the day… she tells me she loves me…

If that is the condition for you to be together once in the future, you can be sure that the chances of it never happening are very big – answered Talia, looking at me with a serious face.

Why do you think that? Do you believe that the little one doesn't love me? – I asked, worried that might be the real motive Talia said that.

No, most contrary, when you came here last time Richard, you have told us you bought her a little time ago, correct?

Yes – I replied, trying to remember of the date it happened – if I remember right, I shouldn't have bought her more than two months ago at that time.

As I imagined! If in two months you have captivated her that much… - Talia's ears were shaking in excitement, her tail as well – to the point she talked about you in such devotion, I place all my chips that she really loves you now.

H… How can you be so sure? – I asked astonished with Talia's degree of security she sounded on her speech – if what you tell me is true, why Akira never told me that?

Because… - Talia blushed again – in this regard she is exactly like me…

Like you? – I asked confused with what was said, that was when it happened to me – don't you tell me that you never told Max how you felt?

A… Almost… - Talia became purple at that exact moment – it is just that… as like it is akira… I love the person that loves me… however as I was not sure about how I was feeling and how he felt towards me, I decided that I would just take care of him well being – she tail swished slowly from one side to the other, as if she was remembering things – I kept looking at him sleeping to be sure he was well, I took care of his nutrition, clothing and every detail so I could be sure nothing would be missing to him; it didn't matter to me I wasn't going to be the female he was going to say "I love you" to as long as he was well and happy, I would be extremely happy… - tears of true happiness began rolling down her face.

Are you telling me that maybe Akira loves me and is thinking the exact same thing you are? – I asked, with a growing happiness inside my heart – that she just wishes for my happiness and well being above everything, which is why she wouldn't confess to me?

Yes! – Talia replied with a broad smile on her face – of course that… - she blushed once again – if the person that she loves lets her know that she is loved by him as well… this becomes a completely new ball game… then we stop thinking we are just some kind of bother on their lives and we shall begin being way more sincere with our feelings as well!

B… But what if she rejects me… - I asked, with some insecurity that was still inside of me – or worse, stay with me just because she is a slave and cannot refuse my love…

I doubt it will happen Richard, thanks to your reputation I know you are very gentle to all your slaves, am I right? – Talia replied, pointing to my chest – I bet that all of them are really grateful towards you and do their best to make their work in the best way possible to return the care… however did any other of them gets as near as little Akira's-chan dedication?

Now that you mention it – I pondered for some moments, really Akira's devotion went much farther than any of my workers could have shown until this day, surpassing even Yumi – really Akira's devotion is far superior to any other person at my house to whom I had been gentle to…

So I instinctively feel – she then winked to me – that Akira feels towards you the same that I do towards Max, but she worries so much about that she just wants your well being without you becoming worried about how she feels or doesn't feel towards you… the only thing you should be thinking right now is: "Will I make my best to make her happy above anything else?" what is the answer to this question Richard?

Yes, from all my heart – I replied to Talia, beginning to feel more secure about my own feelings – this is the only objective I have in my mind right now.

Having such a direct answer from your heart I state, you love Akira-chan as much as Max… loves me… - Talia smiled shyly, lowering her ears and concluding – that is why… without trying to control your life, I talk like a dear friend of yours… leave the fear aside and go tell her how much you love her… I am sure you shall make the little one very happy… don't let fear ruin something so pretty as what you feel for each other! Max always told me "Regret having done something, not imagine what might have happened in case it had been done!"

I understand – I pondered for some instants, actually fear had stopped me in several situations where I could have been happy, at that moment I decided, that wasn't going to happen anymore- I ask you to forgive my lack of manners leaving so suddenly like this, in case you need me, don't hesitate to call, however you just convinced me I have a very important appointment I need to go at this exact moment, see you later Talia, may Saint Meow give you the double which you gave me today! – I turned around and headed towards the door.

Don't worry Richard, he already did! – I could still listen to her giggle – he gave me two great friends!

I left then Talia's residence with quick steps, as I wanted to arrive at home as soon as possible and tell Akira everything that was inside my heart; for the first time in my whole life I felt complete and fulfilled, a completely indescribable, strong an potent love bloomed inside of me, I couldn`t lose even one more seconds without having the little one in my arms telling her how much I loved her and wanted her forever into my arms; little did I know that that day promised to be a roller coaster of emotions and my confession, among all other surprises and revelations that I would have at that day, would be just a little grain of sand in what I was about to discover.