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Lying in a patch of sunlight, comfortable on the stone path leading to the back of the mountain, soft brown fur soaking in the warmth of the sun, Shen Jiu watches the rowdy animals play and scream cheers. A bear here, a squirrel there, a money over there, and a few other creatures. Often times, a qilin that is nothing but a little nuisance to everyone, including him to his displeasure.
This whole mountain felt more like large circus of critters than a sect, as it claimed to be. The Meow Meow Sect, and the mountain it resided on was named Cat Head Mountain—the cat names just didn't end there—Duan Xiaomao was the leader who was also a cat on top of everything.
Perhaps his fate thought to add a little humor, get a laugh out of him. Hah! Hardly was he laughing. It was all ridiculous to him.
And yet, he stayed after Duan Xiaomao and his lover, Duan Lin, found him on the streets huddled in a corner and brought him back. Duan Xiaomao had cooed at him, petting his dirty fur, talking as if Shen Jiu were just a kitten. With his size, he did appear as one.
After he was given the chance to bathe and eat to his heart's content, after days of suspicion turned into understanding that this sect leader was more like a child than anything else, Shen Jiu decided to join the circus of critters.
He doesn't often join the crowds of animals, nor does bother to attend many of the events and field trips put together, but he thinks he likes it on Cat Head Mountain.
Within the Meow Meow Sect, despite the loud cheers of the animals—probably in response to their leader returning with news—Shen Jiu rests his head on his paws, eyes sliding shut as he feels a sense of peace his brain tingles at, as if it is the first time he's ever felt it.
The warmth lending him off, Shen Jiu drifts into a sleep with no worries.