Wanted: Purrfect Cat Guy 18 Human Affairs

"Boss," Tarou called out weakly. "We're animals."

Mina's tail curved when she heard what the grey mouse had to say.

"Human affairs are for humans."

Incensed, she let go of the letter and answered the clingy mouse. "We have to bring this letter to my human. I need to know what's inside."

"Why would you care so much for human affairs Boss? You're a cat, these humans despise creatures like us. Look," Tarou pause before pointing his paw towards the horse, "those animals receive better treatment, that's why they're arrogant a.s.ses!"

"Neigh. We're stallions, not donkeys!" the horse quipped almost instantly after Tarou's claims.

Scratching its head Tarou couldn't help but feel confused. Mina couldn't help but nod in approval towards the eavesdropping horse

"He's right."

Tarou gaped at Mina. His clueless eyes widened with annoyance and Mina couldn't help but chuckle while trying to clarify the stallion's words.

"He's not an a.s.s."

Tarou's cheeks bulged as he let out an angry huff. Afraid of hearing another account of Tarou's horrible experience, Mina diverted the topic.

"Let's deal with this letter first. I need to find my human."

"We can get food on our own. Why would we meddle with human affairs?" Tarou squeaked in annoyance.

Mina paused. Tarou's argument actually made sense.

She was a cat now --an animal, not a person. She had no business meddling with human affairs. But she couldn't help it! She wants to know what's inside the letter. As they say, curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back. Yes, that's the perfect excuse.

Right now, she's just a stray following a guy home. She needs to make a move to be indispensable to the human.

The guy clearly values loyalty. Playing like a pitiful creature won't work, she needs to be cunning and this letter could serve as leverage.

While wrestling with her thoughts, Mina caught something in her peripheral vision. She snapped out of her philosophical state and saw Tarou's paw inch closer towards the letter. When she stared at the mouse, Tarou retracted his paw quickly and blinked at her with innocent eyes.

'And here I was thinking this mouse raised an important issue.' Mina sighed. She focused on the devious animal and realized its time for a lecture on strategic living.

"Tell me, Tarou, are you satisfied with this kind of life? Do you want to be a scavenger all the time? If there's no food you either have you go hungry or make do with anything edible--even paper!"

Tarou's ears were pointed downwards and he stood stiff as a statue while listening to Mina's pa.s.sionate speech. She expected the mouse to admit his stupidity but to her surprise, Tarou looked at her and bellowed indignantly.

"That's my food! I risked my life for that meal!"

Mina was speechless, she was the foolish one.

'A hungry Tarou is an angry Tarou.'

Mina concealed a smile when she realized how Tarou must be feeling at the moment. 'So, that's actually what all this protest is all about.'

"There's actual food here, underling. Something tastier than paper." Mina teased.

Tarou's ears perked up at the mention of food. His eyes lit up, melting away any signs of anger.

"I smell...is that rabbit?"

"Boss, where's your human? Let's bring him this letter quickly. It might contain something important," the mouse asked eagerly.

'I can't believe this mouse. Food is everything to him.'

***

Carrying the letter using her mouth, Mina searched for her human. She scanned the surroundings and saw him with one of his men. The two men blended perfectly with the shadows, and it would be easy to miss them given their position.

After making her way towards the general, Mina nudged his leg. The man ignored her and continued to give instructions to his man.

"Stay alert. We have no idea who the enemies are."

Impatient, Mina continued to get him to pay attention. She stood on two legs and scratched the man's leg. This finally prompted the general to look at her.

Worrying that it's too dark to see, Mina went to an illuminated area and waved the letter Tarou found. After placing it on the ground, she called out to her human with a drawn-out meow.

Soon after, the two men emerged from the shadows.

The general's subordinate crouched down to take a closer look at the item on the ground and picked it up for a closer look.

"General, it's a letter. I have never seen the markings before."

The general reached for the letter and opened it with ease. He scanned the contents quickly. With an impatient meow, Mina tried to coax him to share the contents. The general looked at her but said nothing.

Studying him closely, Mina saw his jaw clench while staring at the small piece of paper for the second time.

"Luca," the general called out to his underling in a tone devoid of any emotion, "see to the animals."

'This man clearly wants me out of his sight. Did he just dismiss me? That letter must be useless.'

'So disappointing. I thought my gift would seal the deal.'

Mina mindlessly walked towards the cooking rabbit as the general's man trailed behind. After finding a comfortable position, Mina looked back at Luca. The man's brow furrowed and one hand cupped his mouth while making his way towards the fire.

Mina chirped to make him pay attention and it worked perfectly. He looked at the cat, the food, and the other man before relaying an order.

"Barca, see to the animals."

Luca delivered the directive in a tone similar to the general. The man called Barca nodded and paused to check the meat cooking over the fire. The black cat's eagerness for mealtime drew his attention, and he spoke to the cat with a hint of amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Food is almost ready."

Mina meowed with approval and stretched.

"Barca, you are a runner up for being my human."