—Everyone knows that cats have nine lives; but not everyone knows just how they begin ♡—
"My name is Alena. I'm a nekomata growing up with my family in our village. You don't know what a nekomata is? No worries! As my mother tells me, we are close relatives to the average feline! Mama says the humans of our world refer to them as 'house cats,' but out here they roam wild and free, growing up right alongside us nekomata. Some of them are even my cousins!"
"Just like our fellow felines, we nekomata have matching ears lined with fur which is almost always the same color of our hair. We've got fun, swishy tails and instincts to boot! The best part? We too have nine lives! Or so that's what the elders of our village say. Unlike our relative felines though, our lifespans are similar to that of humans, if not slightly longer..."
Welcome to the world of Alosa. On this planet, there are many regions spread across the land, the wind, and the seas. This particular tale however, follows a young girl in the region of Nofara, and within this region, we presently focus, for now, on a little place known as Kokora Village.
It was a beautiful day in the village. Sun beams pierced through the clouds, lighting up the lush forest. It was this day, which took place many years ago, when a new baby girl was born. Her mother, who had bright, ginger hair reaching down her backside, laid in a meadow of bright pink flowers that culminated a small, stoneless shrine. Around the shrine stood a chuppah, and at the base of the shrine were light blue flowers that contained oversized blooms with hundreds of petals each. On the center, high point of the shrine laid the gentle site of the mother holding her newborn daughter in her arms. Next to her, was a strong looking man with white hair, and a gentle face, sitting by her side.
"She's so beautiful, just like her mother," the man said to his wife tenderly.
The ambiance of the meadow glowed, impacted by the beaming rays of the smiling sun. The clouds moved quickly, allowing the points of light to travel in a constant flow. The breeze too blowing the vibrant grass and pink flowers surrounding them. The mother had no words in the moment. She smiled lovingly at her daughter with pride in her eyes. She was lovestruck at the birth of her daughter, as her eyes welled up inside.
"I can see she's going to be a strong one. What do we call her?" the man continued.
The mother knew right away, the one name most worthy of bestowing upon their daughter. There was no other name that could suit her, as this was the instinct of her people and a mother's intuition.
"I think we'll call her. Alena," her mother announced hesitantly.
Six years from the day, little Alena was full of curiousity, inspecting every insect or leaf while her mother stood close by. Alena was that of an American Bobtail, bearing a short, long furred tail that matched the deep orange radiance of her hair. Her hands were similar to cat paws but had human-like fingers where her claws would poke out. Her parents kept her dressed in frou-frou dresses regardless of going outdoors where her attire would inevitably get dirty. These were the clothes she often liked, and fortunately for her, it's natural for a nekomata to go out and get dirty at this age, and it's not typical for a parent to be overly concerned about one's clothing. They are separated from the humans in that aspect.
Within her village, Alena and her mother were visiting The Great Tree, a significant aspect for their people that symbolized the culmination and pride of their species. Here, Alena was knelt down and on her hands inspecting the ground around her. Her mother stood over her proudly, a long white, robe-like dress swaying in the wind. Much like her hair, her two tails which were seen swaying and curling from her side were gleaming ginger. Unlike her daughter however, her hands were much like a human's. She had no fur on them, and instead of claws, nails were present. Her cat ears stood outward, tufts also moving elegantly within the oncoming breeze.
She observed closely as Alena cupped her hands down over every insect she came across, watching as she'd investigate every detail and behavior performed before her. It wasn't long before more families would appear before The Great Tree, and very soon another woman with short grey and white hair approached Alena's mother.
"Good morning Tatalia," the approaching woman said, greeting Alena's mother.
"Oh good morning Mora," Alena's mother, Tatalia, replied with a gentle nod.
"Your daughter appears to be growing well."
"Yes, she certainly is," Tatalia replied.
"She'll make a lovely young lady someday. That's for certain," Mora followed.
Tatalia grabbed the skirt of her dress and swished it while giving a heartfelt nod.
Climbing down from the rooftop behind them was a thin, grey tabby cat who pounced upon the scene. It walked over, stopping at Tatalia's feet and glanced over to Alena.
Tatalia spoke to the cat soothfully, "Elijah, what a wonder. You miss the little one so soon?"
The cat's ear twitched hearing its name, but paid no mind.
Alena was batting her paw at a weaving butterfly when Elijah sunk down into a pouncing position, wiggling his backside and flicking his tail about. As soon as Alena noticed Elijah, she closed her eyes and giggled, reaching her arms out to him. Being noticed, Elijah darted toward Alena and performed a little bounce, springing into her and knocking her back into the grass.
Alena couldn't stop giggling as she looked into the cat's eyes, and started to caress his coat. In response, Elijah bumped heads with Alena, purring in the process.
Tatalia lifted her hand over her mouth, where her smile could be made out through her fingers. She couldn't help but to admire this precious moment.
"Inseparable those two," Mora stated, "And to think she'll be starting on her very own path in just a few short years."
Hearing these words, Tatalia shedded a tear.
"I just hope she doesn't grow up too fast," she said.
The moment soon passed as Alena ran over to her mother. Elijah following closely beside her.
"Mommy! Look what we found!"
In her hands she displays a charming little bouquet of freshly picked flowers, offering them to her mother. Taking the flowers from her, Tatalia lowered herself, placing a hand on the back of Alena's head before planting a gentle kiss on her daughter's forehead.
"Thank you. They're absolutely lovely," she praised warmly.
The scene fades to black as the voice of the world begins to speak.
"Little Alena, much lies ahead for you. Times may feel dark, but have no fear, for I will be with you." It was a voice that went unheard.
Running through the forest, many plants were swiftly passed as out from a large colonization of shrubs, a lightly aged Alena burst out, racing the birds of the forest. From tree to tree, a grey tabby could be seen darting around close by. With light shining ahead, Elijah lept onto her shoulder, bracing himself with his claws, into a leather harness.
"Ready?" Alena questioned with no site of slowing down.
As they closed in on the clearing, the surrounding birds shot out, and while giving everything she had, Alena took a great leap, soaring over the cliffside. As gravity beckoned her, Alena began cackling loud with joy as Elijah winced through the long pull of the earth.
Four years have passed since we left the great tree, and Alena's tenth birthday was on the horizon.
Descending through the trees below, Elijah found the best moment to leap off Alena's shoulder, as they both landed on a large branch feet first, before hopping to the ground below. Alena's hair was littered with leaves while Elijah's fur was standing on end. Turning around, Elijah gave Alena an annoyed glare and began grooming himself, while Alena continued to laugh from the still rush of their descent.
"That was so much fun! Come on Elijah, let's do it again!" she declared ecstaticly.
Elijah interrupted his grooming, giving her a grumbled meow. The two took off deeper into the woodlands, looking for the best way back up the cliffside, when they stumbled across a large spring. Around the spring could be spotted some deer helping themselves to a small drink. Elijah's eyes sharpened as he lowered himself in the surrounding grass. Lowering herself down as well, Alena's eyes too began to change shape as her feline instincts began to kick in. She sniffed the air, collecting the scent of the deer before her. Unlike Elijah, who had begun creeping forward, Alena sprung out of the tall grass early, and charged after the deer in full sprint. Looking up, the deer could see Alena as they all turn and ran. Elijah had no choice but to sprint after them as well, just to keep up.
Chasing after them, Alena began to shout as if to roar. It didn't take long for the deer to change course, but as it did, a mountain lion lept out of trees and brought the deer they were after down, whilst the others had dispursed. Now Alena and Elijah were standing face to face with an opposing predator which stood over the deer and let out a great roar.
Alena froze, having never had such encounter before. The lion growled at Alena as it began creeping towards her, and Elijah's fur shot up as he gave the most intimidating yowl possible. Alena dropped down onto all fours, cowering at the site of the great beast. As the lion charged forward, Elijah jumped in biting and clawing at the lion's neck while giving a blood curdling yowl, but Elijah was no match for the sizeable beast, and was simply thrown off with ease, being hit by its large paw on the way. This time he was lucky however, as none of the lion's claws managed to sink into him.
Elijah stood back up and hissed frantically. Just when all hope seemed to be lost, another black cat lept out from the trees and latched itself onto the the mountain lion's back. The lion gave everything it had, trying to throw off this sudden interloper. Eventually the black cat lost its hold on the lion and was flung off to the side. Elijah took advantage of the sudden confusion and launched himself at the beast. As it was distracted, going in to kill the black cat, Elijah landed on the mountain lion's head. He latched onto the lion's ear and using his back claws began scratching at the lion's eyes. It roared in pain and shook its head wildly while swiping its large paw towards Elijah, but not before the black cat charged in and latched onto its wrist. Alena was shocked, startled by the commotion.
Confused by their teamwork, the mountain lion flinched in its attack, giving Elijah just enough time to react, moving away from the strike. The mountain lion had clawed its own face, although just a scratch and it slammed the black cat down. Injuring it from the sheer force. The black cat laid there not moving, and just as the lion went to chomp down, five sharp fingernail-like claws slashed across the mountain lions face.
"Daddy!" Alena shouted.
Elijah ran in, grabbing the black cat by the scruff of its neck, and gave his all to yank the black cat away. The mountain lion now came face to face with the tall, white haired man. The man's eyes were sharp, and he released a ferocious roar. His arms and legs spread out to look as large as could be. The mountain lion however refused to back down. It was unwilling to let it's meal be taken, and raised itself on its hind legs to throw out its claws towards the man's face.
The man was quick, throwing his body into the mountain lion. As he wrapped his arms around the lion, he dipped his heel over and tackled the beast to the ground. Now on top of the lion, he gripped it by the throat, sinking his claws in before cocking his arm back and slamming his clawed fist into the lion's face.
The mere scratches on the lion's face had burst open, allowing blood to seep from its wounds.
The man's white tail was large, puffed out and split into three parts, portraying a thick coat.
Before letting go of the beast, the man got in close and let out another ferocious roar.
Upon letting go, the mountain lion got up swiftly and fled into the depths of the woods. This battle was won.
"Alena! Grab the cat!"
Acting fast, and no longer scared for her own life, Alena rose off her knees and scooped up the black cat who still hadn't moved. Elijah, who would've been unable to keep up, lept into Alena's back harness as her father in turn scooped her up from behind the knees. Quickly, they darted off back to the village.
Upon reaching the village, they came across a small hut decorated with flowers. When setting Alena down, her father, Sem, knocked on the door.
"Madam Cheiro, we have an emergency!" he called.
Opening the door was an older looking woman whose tail was split into four parts.
"And who do we have here?" Cheiro asked.
Alena lifted the unconscious black cat up to her father who quickly passed it off to miss Cheiro.
"Please, he was badly hurt," Sem explained.
Miss Cheiro tisked at the unfortunate site, cradling the cat in her arms. "Oh the poor dear," she stated.
Without any further words, Madam Cheiro stepped back inside her hut, closing the door behind her.
"Daddy, I," Alena began to speak.
Kneeling down to his daughter, Sem pulled her tightly into his chest, hugging her with great concern.
"What were you thinking?"
He let go of Alena, and rested his hands on her shoulders. That is when Elijah had lept down.
"What did we tell you about not going that far from the village? What do you think would've happened had I not been out on that hunt?"
Tears welled up in Alena's eyes.
"I'm sorry daddy. I was just having some fun," she tried to explain.
Once again Sem embraced his daughter.
"Don't do that again."
Tears too formed in Sem's gentle eyes.
Feeling the trouble was passed, Elijah sat as the three of them awaited Madam Cheiro's return. Moments later, the door had opened and miss Cheiro was seen patting her hands dry with a cloth.
"The boy will live," she announced proudly.
Alena's eyes widened as her ears perked up with the news. She noticed something strange, but remained quiet.
"Is he going to be okay? Who is he? Have you seen him before?" Sem had many questions.
Before responding, miss Cheiro shook her head.
"He will need to rest for a while. He came from a great distance that one, but it's amazing he's alive at all," she explained.
Just then, Sem's ears perked up as he too realized something odd.
"Wait a minute. Did you just say, 'boy?'" he inquired.
Lifting her hand, miss Cheiro gestured for them to come inside, and upon entering the small room, both Sem and Alena's eyes widened as they gasped at the site before them.
Covered in rags laid there a black haired boy, nestled carefully on a mattress. Enough skin was exposed to even see a large bruise on his side. He looked completely human and was sound asleep.
"Is he one of our kind? But no nekomata have ever been able to take on a cat form... He can't be any older than twelve," Sem spoke hesitantly.
Alena walked carefully up to the boy, staring at his mysterious figure. The boy let out a soft groan as his eyes began to twitch. As his eyes opened slowly, he saw the young girl standing before him, looking at him with those big eyes, and a sharp pain filled his side as he tried to move.
"No dear, you shouldn't get up just yet. You took quite the blunt back there," miss Cheiro insisted.
"What?" he asked painfully, as he laid himself back down.
Sem approached the boy and went down on one knee.
"Thank you. I don't know who you are, but thank you for saving my daughter. You sure are brave."
The boy appeared to get flushed by this praise. He wasn't quite sure what was going on in the moment.
"But I—, I wasn't the one that really saved anyone," he commented hoarsely.
Sem bowed his head down, "How modest."
When rising to his feet and walking over to the door, Sem left the hut to get some air. Alena standing there, hadn't taken her eyes off the boy for even a second.
"What's your name?" she asked.
The boy winced as he felt a sharp pain, before locking his eyes with the young girl's, "Isaac."
Just like that, Alena turned and ran off to join her father; Elijah following behind her.
"That was a great thing you did back there," miss Cheiro complimented the boy.
"I didn't do anything," he said after a shallow breath. The boy closed his eyes again and within seconds had fallen asleep.