Chapter 24: That Shapeshifter, Cheated ❦ Master, who said he wasn’t fond of physical fights, jumped up and took the initiative to attack her with his kunai. Yoka countered with her own weapon, her morphed hand reaching out to crush his throat at the same time. He evaded the blow with reflexes an old man … Read more
Chapter 23: That Shapeshifter, Congenial ❦ Silenthawk led Yoka past the row of barracks, the private courtyard for team leaders and into the darkness gorged out of the mountain. Master lived in a dwelling built into the mountain slope at the back of the mercenary base. The single-storey house was wrapped on three sides by … Read more
Chapter 22: That Shapeshifter, A Ninja ❦ Yoka noticed the informants leaving the hall just as the rest of Silenthawk’s team were discussing the failed mission with Whitemoon and his men. The two women and three men entered another wooden building. There were no windows for Yoka to peek inside with. The only shoji window … Read more
Chapter 21: That Shapeshifter, Stalking ❦ From the vantage point of a golden eagle, the two assassins appeared to be inching along the ground like small worms, fleeing through the city in slow motion. Yoka could see the shapes of similar shadowy figures waiting for the injured mercenaries at the edge of the city. It … Read more
Chapter 20: That Shapeshifter, Faraway ❦ That night, Rin slept in the side room on the maid’s futon. She had scowled when she first put her head on the inn’s unfamiliar pillow, muttering that the assassins wouldn’t notice even if they swapped her matching silk pillow for this one. ‘I won’t be able to sleep … Read more
Chapter 19: That Shapeshifter, Catching Cats (2) ❦ The shopkeeper died with his eyes wide open. The whites of his eyes were blood red with fury and his hands were curled around the hilt of a weapon he might have swung at his attacker—only there was nothing within his grasp anymore. The ornate pedestals inside … Read more
Chapter 18: That Shapeshifter, Catching Cats (1) ❦ At dawn, Yoka left Yuzuru behind to guard the sleeping young mistress and went hunting for cats in the city with the other two servants. The two of them were in charge of investigating every building in the surrounding district while Yoka searched the rest of the … Read more
Chapter 17: That Shapeshifter, Investigating ❦ Once they had the names of the places the three merchants had seen the bakeneko, they left to investigate. Well, to be exact, Yoka went to investigate. Alone. Rin and the others settled into the best room of the largest inn in Saga. Yuzuru stood guard by the door, … Read more
Chapter 16: That Shapeshifter, Gossiping ❦ One month ago, Nabeshima Katsushige’s adult son, Mitsushige, woke up screaming from a nightmare. In this dream, he encountered a black cat with a long, snake-like tail that followed him as he went about his day. No matter where he went, the cat would follow along as well. Frustrated, … Read more
Chapter 15: That Shapeshifter, Summoned ❦ The letter was short and simple, written by Tokugawa Iemitsu’s own hand. It did not resemble an official decree from the shogunate at all. ‘Dear Rin-chan, I heard that an interesting rumour is spreading around in Saga Domain. Have you heard of this? A bakeneko is wandering the streets, … Read more
