Jerky

"I have a new assignment. I won't have much free time to visit you anymore." Durandal smiled, feeling a twinge of regret.

"You seem down. Not bullied, so are you hungry?" She pulled out a piece of jerky, then hesitated. Remembering Rita's meticulous preparation of bite-sized pieces, she clumsily tore the jerky into uneven chunks. "Here's a snack. A farewell gift!"

This carefree, bright smile was one even Rita hadn't seen.

Durandal, never one for sentimentality, was resolute in her goodbyes, but that didn't prevent her from enjoying one last playtime with this strange cat. She'd found the jerky during her travels, enjoyed it, and bought more to share with her new "friend."

Meow? Stan sniffed the jerky, glanced at the smiling girl, then turned its head away, lying down. I'm not a stray anymore, foolish human! You think you can bribe me with treats? It thought disdainfully. I don't need your handouts! But its tail flicked towards her.

Meow... A soft meow escaped its throat. It realized its actions resembled sulking or even affection. It would never dare act like this with its real master, Jackal. It knew its place as a weapon, a tool. Only with this girl could it be a normal cat. This absurd contrast saddened it.

"Don't you like it?" Durandal, puzzled by its lack of enthusiasm, popped a piece into her mouth. "It's good!"

As she pondered, Stan stood up, nuzzled her hand, and began to eat. It had decided to make the most of their final moments. Sulking would only lead to regrets. *Does a cat even think about 'later'?" It felt less and less like a cat.

It's good she's leaving. She won't see my true form and be scared. It comforted itself, realizing how much it would miss this seemingly clueless girl who had saved its life. I don't even know her name!

Meow? It looked up at Durandal, trying to ask.

"Already finished?" Durandal misinterpreted its gaze. "Want more? Wait here, I'll buy you some!" She stood up and dashed off.

"...Meow!" Stupid human, you don't understand cat language! Stan grumbled. Who said it was good? It's dry and salty! Only a fool like you would eat this. Anyone else would get clawed! Yet, it waited patiently.

Durandal returned to the store, showing the last piece of jerky to the owner. "More of this, please."

The owner glanced at it. "How much?"

Durandal slapped a wad of cash on the counter. "All of it!"

The owner, startled, tried to dissuade her from this impulsive purchase, then gave her a generously filled bag.

"I'm back!" Durandal returned, offering Stan another piece, which it quickly ate. Smiling, she poured half the bag onto a piece of paper, pushing it towards Stan.

"...Does she think I'm a bottomless pit?" Stan stared at the mountain of jerky, nearly half its size. Isn't this a bit much?

"Take your time, there's more!" Durandal shook the half-empty bag. She'd estimated based on her own appetite, halving it for Stan's size, then halving it again, then once more, fearing she'd overfeed it. She'd returned with nearly ten pounds of jerky...

Is this how you feed a cat? Stan stared at her, almost tempted to give her a lesson.

Durandal tied the remaining jerky around Stan's neck, ensuring it was secure but not constricting.

"There!" She checked the knot, then stroked Stan's fur. "A parting gift! Take it home and let your owner feed you." She sighed. "It's a shame. I was hoping to meet your owner."

She knew her mission required an immediate return to HQ, followed by more assignments. She wouldn't have time to visit Manila or this nameless cat again. This was truly goodbye.

Meow? Stan pawed at her hand, reluctant to see her go.

"Alright, little guy, eat up and go home. Don't worry if you can't finish it all." Durandal gave it one last pat. "Don't get into trouble again. I won't be there to save you next time." She smiled, waved, and walked away without looking back.

Meow... She's really gone... Stan watched her leave, its heart heavy. It touched the bag around its neck, the sensation reminding it of her touch.

I'm glad and sad at the same time. At least she wouldn't be scared by its true form. When it had first gained its monstrous power, it had been proud. In the world of strays, strength and cunning were essential for survival. It was grateful to Jackal for giving it this new life.

But now, it hated its monstrous form. Humans like real cats, not giant beasts. It's better this way.

It stared at the jerky, now the most precious thing in the world. It had forgotten its earlier disdain.

A large stray dog approached, drawn by the smell, but a single glare from Stan sent it yelping away.

Meow... Stan hesitated, then began to eat. This was the only way to keep the gift with it. It was grateful for its enhanced stomach.

The jerky tasted just as bad, but it ate every piece, even swallowing the paper it was on.

"All done?" A familiar male voice startled it.

Meow?

Before it could react, black chains erupted, binding it tightly. Ambushed! It instinctively tried to transform, but hesitated. What if the girl is still nearby? Will she be scared?

"Not transforming?" Lin Wei raised an eyebrow, surprised. He'd used the Judah chains to restrain Stan's transformed state.

Why isn't it transforming? He proceeded with his plan regardless. "Sakura, restrain it!"

His original plan was for Sakura to disable the transformed Stan. Though Stan hadn't transformed, he saw no reason to change the plan.

Sakura appeared, drawing her katana, its gleaming blade pointed at the terrified cat.

"Meow!" The terrifying woman's reappearance made Stan's fur stand on end. It instinctively shielded the bag around its neck, protecting its precious treasure.

Sakura exchanged a puzzled glance with Lin Wei. This isn't how it's supposed to go.

Lin Wei felt awkward, like a bully picking on a kitten. But the outcome was better than expected, so he dismissed the chains. Black feathers rained down.

Meow! Stan shivered, then found itself licking its paws, as if nothing had happened. It jumped up, unbound. What just happened? It checked the bag around its neck, relieved it was intact.

It looked around. Only a few people were strolling nearby, none paying attention. Was it a nightmare? The fear felt too real.

This place is creepy. I need to go back! It ran towards the base.

A figure emerged from behind a tree, twirling a black feather, watching Stan disappear. After a moment, it followed.

Stan hurried back to the base, carefully protecting the bag of jerky.

"You're back?" Jackal spoke casually, noticing Stan's location signal.

Meow...

Something's off. Jackal frowned, noticing the bag around Stan's neck. "What's that?" She yanked it off and opened it roughly. "What is this?"

She'd expected a bomb, a virus, anything but ordinary jerky. She scanned it, running tests. The results confirmed it was just jerky, even printing a detailed ingredient list.

Jackal stared at the list, speechless, then glared at Stan. "Don't accept food from strangers!" She tossed the jerky and its packaging into the incinerator.

Meow... Stan watched its treasure turn to ash, numb with loss.

"Don't worry, you'll get better food later!" Jackal said, oblivious to Stan's grief.