The next morning, Jauna noticed that the cat was no longer on its bed.
"It probably went back home," she thought to herself. She touched her lips, recalling the faint feeling of being kissed while she slept.
She went back to being busy with preparing medicines that would be delivered to the town once again.
"The people there say the medicines we sell are effective. Especially now that another epidemic is spreading through the villages."
"What symptoms have you learned from them?"
"Body aches, several days of coughing, chills whenever night falls. Some have already died because they were not treated in time due to the lack of a cure."
The young woman felt saddened upon hearing that some had already passed away because of the spreading illness.
In another nation, Ruforia,
A clan ruled the land, maintaining peace. But one night, they were betrayed and ambushed inside their own home.
This family had the ability to change forms, but this was hidden even from their allies.
One of those who managed to escape was Kriyo, the silver cat who had arrived at Jauna's home.
He returned to their residence to check on the condition of his family.
Three days had passed since the betrayal.
"Mother, father, my siblings," he whispered in tears as he looked at their lifeless bodies, unable to escape from the hands of those hungry for power. At that moment, he was in his cat form.
At the side, he noticed a turtle. It was his younger sister, Orid. The turtle had its head tucked in, unable to see him.
"Orid. Orid," he called through telepathy.
After a moment, she responded. "Brother? It's really you!" The turtle slowly approached the cat.
"I'm relieved that you're safe. It pains me that our siblings, and our parents, did not survive."
"Brother, what will happen to us? They accuse us of corruption even though it is not true."
"I will find a way," he replied, even though he himself did not yet know where or how to begin. The enemy had planned everything. He had little knowledge of politics.
"For now, we must escape, Orid. I cannot do anything yet. Let us leave. I know a place we can go to. There is nothing more we can do here."
"Where will we go, brother? I'm scared." Kriyo, still in cat form, gently licked his sister the turtle to comfort her.
"Two of them are missing, General!"
"Find them! They must be eliminated!"
The two overheard the general speaking, someone they had once believed to be an ally, but who had hidden malicious intentions all along.
"It is time to leave."
They walked slowly to get away. When they felt that no one could see them, they transformed into their human forms.
"Brother!" she cried loudly.
He embraced her, stroking her back as she wept.
"Calm down, Orid. I'm hurting too."
"Brother, I'm hungry. We have nothing to eat."
"We will look for food along the way as we travel to the place where we can stay for a while."
It took the siblings three days and three nights of travel before they arrived at Jauna's home.
They knocked, and she opened the door.
Kriyo could not immediately speak when he saw Jauna.
"We would like to stay for a while."
"Wait, are you really not wearing anything on your upper body?" Jauna remarked. "Faram, lend him some clothes."
Jauna let the siblings inside.
"You left right after I healed you, and now you have come back with someone. What does this mean?"
"I apologize, but I had to return immediately to my homeland to see who among my family survived those who betrayed us. This is my sister, Orid."
Orid bowed respectfully. "It is a pleasure to meet you. My grandfather used to tell me stories about you."
"What happened?"
Kriyo recounted what happened in their palace. While he spoke, Jauna instructed Faram to prepare food for them.
"We will not stay long. I just need to come up with a plan on how to clear my parents' names from the accusations. I am also worried about what will happen if I do nothing."
"This has happened before," Jauna said. "My only advice is to eliminate those who betrayed your family and suppress the evil plans of your enemies."
"Thank you very much for allowing us to stay here. I promise I will give proper payment once everything is settled on our side."
"You do not need to worry about that for now."
After their conversation, the siblings began to eat.
"Brother, the food is so good. I missed eating properly after the past few days."
Kriyo gently patted his sister's head, feeling sorry for what they were going through.
Jauna, meanwhile, continued making medicines.
The two transformed back into a cat and a turtle to rest. Jauna prepared a comfortable place for them to sleep.
Night came. Jauna was about to go to bed when she noticed Kriyo sitting quietly. She only glanced at him and was about to return to her room when he approached her.
"Thank you again for allowing us to stay here."
"You're welcome. I am going to rest."
"Wait..."
Kriyo suddenly kissed her on the lips, surprising her.
"In our nation, that is a way of expressing sincere gratitude."
Jauna simply laughed. "You cannot do that to just anyone. People will think you are strange. Not everyone shares that kind of culture."
Kriyo laughed softly. "May I do that to you whenever I want to express my thanks?"
"I am far too old for that kind of habit, sir. You do not know how it may affect others."
"I understand. I apologize."
"It's fine. Your grandfather did the same to me once when I helped him," Jauna replied casually.
"But... may I be the only one allowed to do that to you from now on?"
"That is not acceptable. It is excessive to kiss me over even the smallest things," she said, laughing at his behavior. "Do you find me appealing?" Jauna asked directly, ready to distance herself depending on his answer.
Kriyo could not answer immediately, but the desire in his eyes was clear.
"Do you know how old I am?"
He nodded.
"Do you know that I will live far longer than ordinary beings?"
He nodded again.
"Do you know how painful it is to be left behind by someone you love because time has taken them away?" Jauna tested him, silently hoping that if he felt something, he would stop it early.
"Our kind can live for hundreds of years."
"But not like me. I can live for thousands. I will be the one left behind, and it is painful. You can stop what you are feeling now. Let us remain civil."
He transformed into a cat again and seemed to want Jauna to carry him. He reached toward her face, gently licking as if to comfort her.
She set him down, but he followed her into the bedroom.
When Jauna lay down, he settled on her chest and fell asleep.