Klio_TheSushiCat

The story of the bakeneko Japanese mythology

The story of the bakeneko

Once there was a elderly mother and a son
And a beautiful black cat with green eyes and a long tail
The mother wished very dearly for her son to gain her lords favor to be granted a wife and a land of his own
And He wished very much to impress his mother

After years of tireless service the young swordsman revived a invitation one evening
And wished him to prove himself by demonstrating his skill with a blade

He would have to best each of the lords family members to gain the status he so desired

The swordsman readied himself he had practiced tirelessly for this moment

One by one he best the lords family
He felt his strength failing but each time he would picture his mother and remember the light in her eyes as she described the life he would soon attain

Finally the last clan member fell

The swordsman stood before the lord

sweat dripping down his face

The lord stood and stepped into the ring raising his wooden sparing sword

The young swordsman did not know what to do

He did not wish to allow his lord to win for he knew the lord did not take holly to those who flattered him

It felt like a trap with no fair escape

He began to spar with his lord reflecting blow after blow this felt like the final test

He made up his mind a swift parry and a leg sweep sent sent his lord tumbling down

The swordsman knelt and offered his sword in submission

He saw his lords face reddend with anger

Foolish commoner he bowled

I have no room for those who forget their station and I will not tolerate being made the fool

Before he could fall to the ground and beg for mercy the lord drew his steel sword and ran him through

The defeated members of his clan laughed and mocked as he ley bleeding his vision fading the last thing he saw were the mocking faces of his tormentors

Each kicking him and throwing rice at him

The next day his mother awoke to the sound of knocking at her door

She imagined her son returning to tell her if his triumph

She walked to the door and opened it to find a rice sack sitting in the dirt

She felt he heart sunk as she opened the sack

Her sons lifeless face staired back at her

The word peasant written on his forehead

Grief-stricken she wailed and tormented the loss of her only son

The only being able to hear her cries was the black cat she had for as long as she could remember

She raised a knife to her own neck and with her dying words she cursed the lords clan

As she lay cool on the floor her green eyed cat began to walk slowly towards the pooling blood

It lowered its head and drank

The next month the lords clan arrived at the Castle forget another celebration

After a huge feast there came a knock at the castle door

The most beautiful woman the lord had ever seen was brought before him

Having lost his wife at childbirth the year before

He knew a woman like this would make his rivals jealous

Perhaps she would grant him the son he so desired He beckond her closer and she obayed

He found it amusing as if she had a choice

The hungry eyes of his clan following her every move

She walked next to him and leaned in as if to kiss him

He couldn’t believe his luck

Her eyes were the most unbelievable shade of green

That was when he noticed the black tail that unfurl from beneath her gown

Before he could react her head transformed into that of a massive black cat

It’s mouth growing wider and larger

It swallowed him whole

Those in the village said they could hear the screams from the castle all night

But didn’t think it strange given the lords propensity to celebrate

What they did find strange was the empty hall next morning a black cat that swiftly ran out when the doors were opened

And thus the tail of the bakeneko

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