The women spent what felt like forever within the dark caverns beneath the towering tree, its roots sheltering the injured wolves who lay near death, unable to move. Hidden away, they worked tirelessly to tend to the suffering. Rei sat with a dying brown wolf, comforting him in his final moments before moving on to help others, offering kind words to ease their pain.
Hoshiyo, grinding herbs nearby, watched Rei as she spoke softly to her patients, keeping them calm. Inspired, she looked up at Kuzunoha and asked, "Sensei, could I treat a patient alone this time? With your guidance on the diagnosis, of course."
Kuzunoha finished tending to a young pup nestled beside her mother, then turned to Hoshiyo with a soft smile. "Not just yet, my young pupil. First, you need to learn the fundamentals. Choose a patient, and I'll teach you more than herb preparation—I'll show you how to care for the whole being."
Hoshiyo's black wolf ears perked up excitedly. "Thank you so much, Sensei! I won't let you down." She hurried on all fours, searching for one of the most seriously injured wolves. Many were gravely wounded—puncture wounds needing stitches, some missing limbs torn by the jaws of their shadowy enemies.
She soon spotted a dark grey wolf lying in the crowd; her fur matted with blood and sweat. Her ears were torn, her muzzle bruised and chewed. Blood trickled from her mouth, and the flesh beneath her fur had turned a deep, unnatural color. Her legs twitched in agony; her body racked with pain from the nearly fatal injuries.
Hoshiyo knelt beside the suffering wolf and spoke gently, "Hush, you're safe now. What is your name?"
The grey wolf whimpered, "Aiko…"
Though exhausted, Aiko's eyes still held a flicker of life as Kuzunoha knelt beside her, preparing her medical supplies.
"I'm so sorry for what you've been through," Hoshiyo said softly. "I wish I could have fought for you when the shadows attacked. My name is Hoshiyo, and I am the Generations of the Star leader of the Generations. Kuzunoha is teaching me Kampo medicine so that I can help in battle one day. Please bear with me as I do my best to ease your pain."
Lowering her body, Hoshiyo bowed deeply in apology. She felt a pang of guilt for using Aiko as a training experience, though she knew she had to learn.
"I'll be fine," Aiko whispered, grimacing in pain. "Thank you, Leader Hoshiyo."
Hoshiyo smiled warmly and nuzzled Aiko's bloodied head, reassuring her. "You're in good hands, Aiko. I promise."
"Tell us what happened out there," Kuzunoha said gently as she prepared to tend to Aiko's wounds.
Aiko nodded slowly, careful not to strain herself. "My little brother and I were standing by the entrance. He'd been asking me what life was like beyond the village. Our mother always kept him close when she was alive." Her voice faltered. "Before I could answer, I heard screams and saw blood splatter in the distance. The sounds—the snarling—came so fast. All I could see was a cloud of dust approaching."
"What did you do?" Hoshiyo asked softly.
"I grabbed my brother by the scruff and rushed inside, but before I made it to safety, something bit my leg and pulled me back out. I lost my grip on him and yelled for him to run," Aiko said, her voice strained with pain and grief.
"Did he make it? Is he somewhere inside the tree?" Hoshiyo asked urgently.
Aiko looked down, her eyes clouded. "I don't know. The shadow wolves dragged me away. I fought as hard as I could until I crawled here."
Kuzunoha rested a hand on her shoulder. "What's your brother's name?"
"Takehiro," Aiko whispered, wincing. "He's small, with gray fur like mine and bright blue eyes. He may be young, but he's strong."
Hoshiyo scanned the cavern. "We'll find him, Aiko. I promise."
Kuzunoha nodded and said, "Let's focus on helping you heal."
Kuzunoha's hands moved gracefully, opening her pouch to reveal carefully wrapped herbs. "Hoshiyo, today I'll show you more of Kampo medicine," she said, her voice steady yet soothing. "You must understand that this is not just about treating wounds—it's about treating the whole being. Kampo focuses on the harmony between mind and body."
Hoshiyo nodded, intently watching as Kuzunoha pressed her hands against Aiko's abdomen, feeling for signs of tension or imbalance. "With Kampo, we investigate the symptoms and the patient's constitution. Each body reacts differently to stress or illness, and we must know how."
Aiko winced as Kuzunoha gently palpated her belly. "I'm sorry," Hoshiyo whispered, leaning in close. "We're doing this to help you."
Kuzunoha, focused, continued explaining. "See how Aiko is sweating here but cold elsewhere? That tells us that her energy—what we call 'ki'—isn't circulating properly. And her pulse, though weak, reveals that there's stagnation in her vital energy."
Hoshiyo blinked in understanding. "So, we're not just looking at the wound. We need to treat the imbalance causing her body to weaken."
"Exactly," Kuzunoha said. "Kampo is holistic—mind and body are one. If her emotions or energy are off, the body follows. The key to restoring her health is more than closing her wounds; it's bringing harmony back to her entire system."
She moved on to Aiko's tongue, examining the color and texture. "The tongue reflects the health of the internal organs. It can tell us about blood flow, hydration, and much more. See how hers is pale? She's low on blood and body fluids."
Hoshiyo absorbed every detail. She had learned the basics, but Kuzunoha's depth of knowledge made her realize how much more there was to understand. "What's the next step?"
Kuzunoha selected a bundle of herbs from her kit. "This is to boost her 'ki' and blood circulation. But first, we apply heat therapy to relax her muscles and aid blood flow. Here, take this," she handed Hoshiyo a small, heated stone wrapped in cloth. "Place it gently over her abdomen."
Hoshiyo did as instructed, watching Aiko's tense muscles slowly relax under the warmth.
"Good. Now, while the heat works, let's address her internal state. I'm prescribing a blend of ginseng and ginger for circulation and peony root to calm her mind. But before giving it to her, we must confirm with the pulse again. Remember, Kampo is based on ongoing observation, not just one-time diagnoses."
Hoshiyo leaned closer, her hand over Aiko's chest. "Her pulse... feels a little stronger now."
Kuzunoha smiled. "Good. The treatment is working. Keep observing her closely and adjust the herbs as needed. This process is about paying attention to every detail—the whole system, not just the injury."
"Right," Hoshiyo agreed. She followed them through the narrow caverns to an opening leading them.
"I will. I'm glad Aiko can finally rest," Hoshiyo said, her voice soft as Aiko's eyes closed. With her pain finally subsiding, the grey wolf could dream again, moving more freely, even with some limitations. The slight taste of freedom felt like pure bliss.
Around them, the wolves began to settle, their suffering easing under the care of Hoshiyo and the healers. The atmosphere in the cavern shifted from sorrow to a quiet sense of hope, a lightness filling the once-heavy air.
In the darkness, Hoshiyo whispered, "We should stay here as long as they need us."
Rei flicked her ear and tilted her head. "What are you planning?"
"These villages—these islands—they're struggling to survive. We must help, just as Amaterasu once told us. We can teach them how to fight, hunt, and thrive," Hoshiyo replied.
"At our last meeting, we agreed that we would take care of the islanders," Rei said, her voice firm. "Now, it's time to follow through."
Kuzunoha nodded thoughtfully. "We should speak with the elders. If they allow it, we can stay in their village until they're strong enough to protect themselves. But I have a feeling their troubles won't be solved overnight."
The sisters nodded in agreement, and together, they followed Kuzunoha through the narrow tunnels that led back outside. Waiting at the entrance was the village elder, flanked by several lean brown wolves standing guard. As the elder approached, his voice carried a note of respect. "I've heard from my people. You saved more lives than we could have hoped. I'm impressed."
Hoshiyo bowed her head slightly. "We did what we could, but if it's alright with you, we'd like to stay and offer further assistance to the village."
"Assistance? In what?" the elder asked, his tone cautious.
"We'd like to teach your pack how to defend themselves," Hoshiyo explained. "To prevent more loss in future attacks. My sisters and I can also teach you how to hunt and preserve food—skills we've gathered over the years that could help you all survive."
The elder's eyes narrowed, skeptical. "Why would you do this for us? You're strangers here."
Hoshiyo smiled gently. "Because I'm not a monster. I care about those who deserve better than to suffer and starve. I can't sleep knowing I could help but didn't."
The elder stared at her, surprised by her sincerity. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice softer. "I don't fully understand why someone like you would show us such kindness, but I wish there were more like you, Generation of the Star. Thank you."
"Of course. But I may need your guidance to assist us. How is life on the tree organized?" Hoshiyo asked.
The elder nodded thoughtfully, lifting his gaze toward the towering canopy. A proud smile crossed his face as he began, "At the very top lies Canopy Heights, where our wolves have built homes among the branches and leaves. The heights are our sanctuary under the sun and our watchtower to keep the tree safe."
"I take it most of your Beta wolves are stationed there," Hoshiyo said.
"Correct," the elder confirmed, "but the heart of the tree is Branchhaven, where every rank gathers. The strong, sprawling branches house shops, armories, forges, and more—everything our community needs. You've already entered Rootshade, where the roots provide homes for those who prefer the ground and a haven for the immune-compromised. Below that are the caverns—a forbidden world. No one enters without special permission. You have mine."
"Thank you," Hoshiyo said with a small smile. "I promise to do everything I can to rescue those who were taken."
The elder bowed deeply. "I never thought I'd live to see this day, but thank you for coming to our aid when we need it most."
Hoshiyo nodded firmly before turning to Rei and Kuzunoha. Without another word, she leaped gracefully onto a thick branch, her companions following close behind.
Snow began to drift down from the sky, a quiet blessing from the Kami, as if approving of their vow. The delicate flakes blanketed the world around them, turning everything a pristine white as they stood together, sharing a silent moment of unity.
Rei spoke as they climbed. "What's the plan?"
"He said everyone passes through Branchhaven," Hoshiyo replied. "We'll see if anyone there knows anything. Besides, we'll need supplies if we're venturing underground."
Kuzunoha smiled, her voice calm yet resolute. "An excellent idea. I used up much of my supplies underground, so it'll be good to restock for the mission ahead."
Rei glanced at her with a severe expression. "We're not just rescuing Aiko's brother. For all we know, there could be over a hundred wolves down there waiting for help."
Kuzunoha's smile faded slightly, replaced by a measured tone. "Perhaps, but don't set your hopes too high. We must be realistic. Not everyone trapped in those tunnels will still be alive."
Hoshiyo and Rei exchanged a glance. In unison, they replied, "Right."
"Brace yourselves," Hoshiyo continued. "This mission will take time. Returning to the mansion won't be an option for a while. I hope you're ready for that."
Rei gave a confident smirk while Kuzunoha frowned slightly but nodded. Both were undeterred—they'd come to expect nothing less from Hoshiyo. With determination in their hearts and tension tingling along their spines, the trio set off toward the forbidden caverns, ready to face the unknown and rescue those trapped in the shadows.