Taro leapt up from his comfortable seat in front of the fire, startled by the rustling grass. He had many enemies, although he doubted any of them would be so clumsy as make that much noise. Still, in his profession, it paid to be cautious. Eyes scouring the undergrowth for any sign of life, Taro crept up to the copse where he'd heard the noise. A small white object caught his eye. Still watching the trees, he snatched it up, only to have it break apart in his hands.<span style="font-style: italic">Who leaves mochi sitting around in the woods? </span>Another rustle was his reply. Taro's hunting instinct kicked in. Throwing the cracked cake to the ground, he stole into the woods, silent as a ghost. The nekomata in the white coat wasn't exactly hard to find. When Taro found him, cowering against the tree, he couldn't help but laugh.<br/><br/>"So, it was you sneaking around, eh?" Taro clapped the frightened boy on the back and lead him back to the firepit, "Come and sit down, have something to eat." He couldn't believe he ever figured this pitiful creature for a threat.